prominent, went 2nd before 7th, ridden before last, kept on and held towards finish
with leader, pushed along before 7th, soon weakened
prominent, went 3rd from 4 out until last, kept on same pace
made all, ridden before 2 out, hung left last 100 yards, driven out
tracked leaders, pushed along before 7th, soon in rear and reminders, plugged on from 2 out, no impression
in rear and in touch, went 4th from 3 out, kept on from last, just held for 2nd place near finish
With so many question marks against his rivals, ZAMA ZAMA is almost the selection by default despite conceding weight all round. Indeed, he's far from bombproof himself with his last success delivered over two years ago but he is an experienced campaigner over fences and the latest effort when second to Rusty Nail at Newton Abbot reads solidly in the context of this contest. Maizy Missile will have needed her first run for eight months at Uttoxeter when not shaping at all badly until fading quickly late on. She has no obvious improvement to make at the age of 12 but still rates the main danger. Sumner also showed sufficient last time when fourth at Stratford in a similar contest to warrant shortlist inclusion.
Zama Zama 9-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, left in 3rd place 4 out, chased winner 3 out, stayed on same pace fom last, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Rusty Nail (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd.
Tribal Dance (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, soon ridden and lost place, well behind 7th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Rocky Stone (11-11) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.
Maizy Missile (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Prominent, jumped slowly 5th, not fluent next, weakened before 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Sureness (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Apache Dawn 20-1 (10-9) Pressed leader, led 10th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, 8th of 10, 36l behind Owner Occupier (10-9) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
Sumner (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, lost place and reminder 4 out, soon behind, plugged on to take modest 4th before last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 10, 12l behind Owner Occupier (10-9) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
Finch Flyer (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, closed 9th, one pace 4 out, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Spanish Optimist (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd.
