mid-division, tracked leaders after 6th, went 2nd after 2 out (usual 3 out), poised to challenge after last, shaken up turning into straight, soon ridden and not quicken, kept on, held towards finish
mid-division, lost place 5th, behind and struggling after next, mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, led after 6th, made rest, driven and hard pressed after last, ridden turning into straight, held on gamely, all out (2nd last fence omitted on all circuits)
towards rear, headway under pressure before last, ridden to chase clear leaders after last, never a threat, weakened flat, tailed off
led to after 6th, lost place before next, weakened and pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)
tracked leader to after 6th, weakened before 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off
behind, headway 7th, ridden to chase front pair after last, kept on same pace, never on terms, well held when lost 3rd closing stages
in touch, lost place 7th, ridden and weakened after 10th, tailed off
in touch, went 2nd before 7th, lost place after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and outpaced after last, stayed on to take 3rd closing stages, no impression
held up behind, headway on outside before 9th, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), never reached leaders, weakened after last, tailed off
Brave Spartacus won this by 10 lengths last year when rated 3lb higher but has generally struggled since and was well behind Alderbrook Lad here in May. RAISE A SPARK is two from two around here. He’s on a career-high mark now but is almost guaranteed to run his race so gets the nod ahead of Uttoxeter scorer Mont Royale and Saturday’s runner-up Fair Exchange, who is still to win under Rules. Chebsey Beau has been in decent form on the Flat recently and Border Breaker won here in May before finishing third at Perth last month. Midnight Shot was given a confidence-booster over hurdles last time but again ran poorly and is best watched for now.
Raise A Spark 11-8fav (11-0) Chased (clear) leader, closer 3 out, led going well on long run after the last, soon clear, easily, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Wisty (11-12) by 13l, 4 ran.
Fair Exchange (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Led, pushed along 4 out, soon ridden, hard pressed after last, headed inside final furlong, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Dieg Man (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gs in Aug.
Midnight Shot 13-2 (11-12) 2nd until 8th, led before diving at 3 out, soon headed, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Three Colours Red (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Chebsey Beau 14-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no threat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Stormin Tom (9-2) at Ripon 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Made most until 9th, with leader, led again before 4 out until before next, lost 2nd before 3 out, weakened into 4th run-in, lost 4th post, 5th of 7, 13l behind Jovial Joey (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) With leader, led 2nd to 12th, tracked winner, lost place 2 out, outpaced after last, chased clear pair flat, well held when lost modest 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 17 1/2l behind Shake It Up (10-6) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Mont Royale 20-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Workbench (11-11) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Border Breaker (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 11th, outpaced after 4 out, went 3rd flat, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Nefyn Bay (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Dr Robin (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, struggling when ran out before 4 out, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Cash Again (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 8th, headway 4 out, went 3rd after last bend, no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 17 3/4l behind Bambi Du Noyer (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
