chased leaders to 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
prominent, hit 3rd, dropped rear 6th
chased leaders to 3rd, behind from 5th, tailed off
led, blundered 4 out, clear after next, headed towards finish, no extra
held up, headway to chase leaders 6th, went second next until 2 out, no extra
held up, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly run in to lead close home
Sunday City knows his way around here and though he is past his best, the handicapper has at least dropped Peter Bowen's veteran to a mark that is 2lb lower than his most recent win. Aintree winner Bhaltair has bombed out badly on his last two starts so PRINCE DES MARAIS looks the best option in a trappy contest. Caroline Bailey's charge is difficult to catch right at the best of times but he can be expected to race prominently and, having failed to get home over further, might just be able to cling on. Surf And Turf returns from a brief hiatus but Take Of Shoc's took back-to-back races at Stratford and Chepstow during the spring so any money for Rebecca Curtis's eight-year-old would be of significance.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Led, hit 9th, headed 10th, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 4, 13l behind Pilgrims Lane (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Bhaltair (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Held up, pushed along 7th, hit 9th, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner before next until before last where mistake, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 16l behind Mister Matt (10-10) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
Sunday City (JPN) 9-1 (11-12) Led, joined from 6th, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 13l behind Park Lane (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jul.
Take Of Shoc's (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Jumped left, travellling well before 4 out, hit 3 out, joined soon after 2 out, driven before went left and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Nobunaga (10-12) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) sft in Apr.
Surf And Turf (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) With leaders, led 7th, blundered 10th, ridden and headed before last, no extra run-in, 5th of 7, 6l behind Imperial Shabra (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Humbel Ben (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Held up in touch, headway after 11th, chased leaders 5 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next, 4th of 8, 20l behind Lady Everywhere (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Apr.
Tri Nations (UAE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway from 7th, left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Rajnagan (11-6) at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gd.
