chased leader, closed before 7th, challenged last, soon led, ridden and headed just after last bend, held after, stayed on same pace
led, clear 5th until before 7th, not fluent 4 out (water), mistake 2 out, headed after last, soon weakened
in rear, mistake 1st, behind when slow next, carried on well adrift until pulled up after 8th
held up, in touch before 7th, ridden in 3rd after last, no impression and well held on last bend
chased leaders, mistake 4th, lost place next, in touch before 7th, outpaced from next, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, 2nd after last, led just after last bend, stayed on well, ridden out
Course and distance winners Theflyingportrait and Altruism will both surely have been prepared with this meeting in mind but both would almost certainly have preferred better ground following Saturday's deluge. They must be respected but VENGEUR DE GUYE (NAP) will be very much at home in conditions and can take advantage of a useful weight benefit from the aforementioned pair as well as topweighted Katgary. Lucinda Russell's charge has been knocking on the door with a trio of runner-up spots this year and this may be the day the door swings open with conditions to suit. Katgary also handles forecast conditions well and could prove the main danger despite conceding weight all round.
Katgary (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace and no impression, 4th of 8, 13 1/2l behind Two Taffs (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Apr.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 13-8 (10-1) Made all, hard pressed 2 out, ridden before last, kept on under pressure flat, held on near finish, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gf in Oct beating Simply Ned (11-12) by nk, 4 ran.
Altruism (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Tracked leader, left in lead 3 out, jumped badly left 2 out and rider lost both irons, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Fantasy King (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Vengeur De Guye (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Held up behind, headway after 8th, challenged going well on outside after 3 out, led next, headed before last, ridden and held flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Morning Royalty (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Indian Voyage (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked winner, outpaced in 4th after 3 out, ridden after next, no chance with front trio last, lost place near finish, 5th of 7, 10 3/4l behind A Little Magic (11-5) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Oliver's Gold 3-1 (11-5) Last pair, outpaced 8th, poor 5th when rider lost irons and pulled up before 4 out, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
