made all, soon clear, ridden after last, stayed on well, unchallenged (1 fight omitted)
in touch, chased clear leader (winner) after 3rd, driven and lost place bypassing omitted 3 out, no chance with leaders from after 2 out, lost modest 4th closing stages
mid-division, tracked leaders after 2nd, disputing 3rd when hampered and unseated rider 2 out
in touch on outer, left 2nd 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from last, no chance with winner
chased winner to after 3rd, in touch, lost place 3 out (usual 4 out), soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd behind clear leader (winner) bypassing omitted 3 out, fell 2 out
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
held up behind, some headway before last, never near leaders
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), plugged on to take remote 4th flat, never nearer
mid-division, chased leaders approaching omitted 3 out, soon outpaced, left 3rd 2 out, no impression
This looks ultra-competitive so only a tentative vote goes to MARDALE, who has been cleaning up in novice company lately. She's only run one poor race and that was on heavy going and Ryan Day's claim is a plus. Dexcite has won very easily at Bangor and Southwell recently but has had little to beat. Ash Park's winning run has been the more impressive but Dynamic Drive is weighted to reverse Kelso running with that one on much better terms, despite a subsequent victory at Hexham. Altruism beat the odds-on Desoto County over fences here last time so it’s a surprise to see him back over hurdles but Good of Luck could be interesting after a confidence-boosting win on the Flat.
Altruism (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Made all, jumped well, drew clear from 6th, reduced advantage over 1f out, soon ridden, hard pressed closing stages, held on well, won at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gd in May beating Desoto County (11-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Thunder Sheik (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, lost place after 5th, pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Dynamic Drive (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, lost place between last 2, soon weakened, pulled up before last, won at Hexham 2m hcp (3) gs in Jun beating Roll Of Thunder (10-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Ash Park (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Held up behind, headway after 3 out (usual 4 out), chased leader next, upsides last, soon led, ridden out flat, just held on (2 flight omitted), won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jun beating Nautical Nitwit (11-10) by 1l, 12 ran.
Pink Coat 13-2 (11-10) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, dropped towards rear 4th and reminder, slight mistake 6th and reminder, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Tipperary 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
Good of Luck 7-1 (10-5) Held up behind, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, forged clear final 110 yards, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun beating City Ground (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mardale (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led last, ridden run-in, held on towards finish, won at Perth 2m (4) gd in Apr beating Myztique (11-4) by nk, 8 ran.
Dexcite (FR) 1-10fav (11-4) Held up in last, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, led 2 out, clear last, very easily, won at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jun beating Close Escape (10-12) by 9l, 5 ran.
Captain Brown 16-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, went 4th before last, kept on same pace, 13th of 15, dist behind Allbarnone (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in May.
Venue 25-1 (9-4) In touch, headway on outer after 3f, close up, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 29 1/4l behind Serena Grae (9-4) at Chester 1m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
