in rear, reminders before 5th, tailed off before 9th
led to 4th, led again before 7th, clear from 3 out
close up until quickly lost place after 13th
held up in touch, went 2nd before 6 out, mistake next, lost 2nd before and blundered badly last, one pace
held up towards rear, weakened from 8th, mistake 11th, tailed off before and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, ridden before 6 out, weakened from 12th
close up, led 4th, headed before 7th, lost 2nd before 6 out, went 2nd before last, no impression with winner
towards rear, pushed along and outpaced before 6 out, weakened before 2 out
Sam Twiston-Davies was on board Epee Celeste when Michael Chapman's mare won this a year ago but switches to Royale Knight, who looks to have a better chance. However, his mount was touched off by BALLYBOUGH GORTA here last month and Peter Bowen's progressive six-year-old, who has won six of his ten races over fences, can confirm the form and take this. Satou won very easily over this trip at Uttoxeter but seemed unsettled by an early mistake when well beaten at Newton Abbot subsequently. Hunters Lodge generally performs in better grade and would be a big threat if the going turned soft as he likes testing ground.
Hunters Lodge (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place and in rear from 6th, soon struggling, tailed off, 6th of 8, 32l behind Well Hello There (11-5) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jun.
Ballybough Gorta (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Led, not fluent 4 out (water), driven after last, 3 lengths clear on home bend, held on well, won at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul beating Royale Knight (10-1) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Satou (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 12th, weakened from 5 out, 6th of 12, well behind No Loose Change (11-7) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul.
My Moment (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up in 4th, closed from 8th, no extra from home bend, last of 5, 9l behind Papa Caruso (10-1) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul.
Dun Masc (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, struggling from 7th, behind 9th, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Lexicon Lad (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 14 ran.
Royale Knight 11-10fav (10-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, not fluent 11th or 13th, closed 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, 3 lengths down on home bend, rallied final 100 yards, just held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Ballybough Gorta (11-2) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jul.
Epee Celeste (FR) 8-1 (9-9) Led to 3rd, tracked winner, lost place 4 out, weakened before next, 5th of 6, 35l behind Strumble Head (10-2) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd.
An Capall Mor (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, led before 7th, ridden before 3 out, headed
