held up in 5th, outpaced before 3 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off
hampered start, always behind, struggling after 10th, tailed off when fell last (usual 2 out)
always behind, struggling after 10th, tailed off
held up in 4th, outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), kept on same pace, no chance with leaders
pressed leader and clear of rest, led after 2nd, hit and headed narrowly 6th, effort 3 out (usual 4 out), kept on and every chance until ridden and one pace after last (usual 2 out), no impression flat
chased clear pair throughout, outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), kept on same pace under pressure flat, no impression
reluctant to go to post, refused to race
led and clear with one other, headed narrowly after 2nd, led again 6th, made most after, ridden after last (usual 2 out), stayed on, drew clear flat
Gordon Elliott has become legendary for his raids on these shores and the return of HOOPY to racing under Rules appears significant. The ten-year-old won at Ballingary on his most recent run between the flags and with soft ground prevailing he can make that match fitness count. Postmaster reportedly broke a blood vessel in the Grand National though he showed no ill effects when slamming his rivals by 13 lengths in a hunter chase at Fakenham. Wave Power is lightly raced for an eight-year-old and Val Jackson was able to get a win out of the ex-Howard Johnson inmate on only his second start for the yard. Moulin De La Croix's last win was a walkover at Worcester although he has obliged previously against actual rivals in soft ground. Rory Boy appeared to have fallen out of love with the game, but he was turned out at Southwell on the Flat and sauntered home by a double-digit margin. Andy Crook gets a first chance to see whether his recent punt at the sales is a bargain or a blow out.
Postmaster 16-1 (12-0) Mid-division, steady headway 11th, went 4th approaching 14th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 14, 20l behind Salsify (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in Jun.
Strongpoint (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, weakened 4 out, 7th of 10, 19l behind Makhzoon (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jun.
Hoopy (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Never a factor, in rear from halfway and pulled up after 7 out, in a race won by Uncle Junior (12-7) at Punchestown 4m 1f crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Apr, 24 ran.
Wave Power (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Tracked leader, led after last, kept on, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) hvy in Jun beating Russian War (10-12) by 1l, 4 ran.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 5th, hit next, jumped right and not fluent 8th, headed when mistake last, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Captain Scarlett (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Moulin de La Croix (10-12) Walkover, won at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 1 ran.
Rory Boy (USA) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leader until 4th, stayed prominent, went 2nd 8th until 10th, weakened before 4 out, 4th of 7, 35l behind Dinarius (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
Epee Celeste (FR) 80-1 (9-7) Prominent, lost place approaching 13th, plugged on from 2 out, no chance, tailed off, 6th of 15, 45l behind Emmaslegend (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gd.
