held up towards rear, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden after last, kept on to chase winner run-in, well held
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, led before last, soon clear, easily
held up in touch, weakened before 3 out
always behind
held up mid-division, ridden before last, no impression
led, headed before and blundered last, lost 2nd place run-in, no extra
held up mid-division, headway to go 4th before last, one pace
held up mid-division, in 6th before last, one pace and no impression
always towards rear
tracked leader, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
Zarzal is on a roll but Court Minstrel's participation means that he and the five below him in the handicap are carrying more than their allotted weight. Despite that, Gurkha Brave arrives in form and Smart Ruler won here in August and has had a couple of runs on the Flat this year. Roman Flight is hard to catch right but was on his best behaviour when winning at Stratford last month and should give a good account. COMMISSIONED is a rare runner here for John Ferguson's yard. He was fourth in a Grade 1 contest for four-year-old at Aintree last year and won at Cheltenham and Kempton in the autumn and may have too much class for these.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Slightly hampered 2nd, always in rear, never remotely involved, continued tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Special Tiara (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Roman Flight (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden to lead before and blundered last, kept on, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in May beating Laudatory (11-2) by 1l, 15 ran.
Commissioned (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway and in touch when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Cyrus Darius (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr, 11 ran.
Lucky Bridle (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Soon chased leaders, not fluent 5th, close up and not fluent 2 out, soon no extra, 23rd of 25, 45l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Apr.
Trucking Along (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Towards rear, jumped left, bumped 2nd, no danger from before 5th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Blood Cotil (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase sft in Feb.
Zarzal (IRE) 4-1fav (12-0) Held up behind, headway on outside after 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, led and hung left flat, kept on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May beating Baths Well (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, left in lead 3rd, ridden run-in, kept on, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Anay Turge (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Smart Ruler (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 5th, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov beating Mason Hindmarsh (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Gurkha Brave (IRE) 7-2fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway 2 out(usual 3 out) kept on to lead towards finish, won at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Vodka Wells (11-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Captain Brown 9-2 (11-12) Held up behind, smooth headway before 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and always held run-in, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Morning With Ivan (10-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in May.
Volcanic Jack (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Led, headed 2nd, tracked leaders, weakening when left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Occasionally Yours (10-11) at Fakenham 2m 4f ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May.
