mid-division, closed 6th, mistake 8th, chased winner 2 out, no impression flat, no extra towards finish
held up in rear, headway on outside from 4 out, went 3rd and not fluent last, no impression on winner, kept on
raced keenly, chased leader from 2nd, jumped right and not fluent 3rd, mistake 8t, weakened after 3 out
jumped well, made all, drew clear flat, stayed on strongly
chased winner until 2nd, lost place 9th, outpaced 4 out, well beaten from 3 out
held up in rear, blundered 9th, mistake 4 out, well beaten from 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 2nd, headway from 7th, 2nd final bend until not fluent 2 out, 4th and held last, kept on flat
NonRunner
NonRunner
The last three winners of this have all carried a big weight so Sky Pirate has to go on the shortlist having won a Grade 3 at The Festival here in March when last seen. Before Midnight had Ashutor well behind when winning at Chepstow in April but LEAPAWAY could provide the answer to a tricky puzzle. Philip Hobbs’ charge overturned earlier running with Bathiva at Worcester last month and that form has been franked. Hatcher was beaten 15 lengths in this last year when 5lb lower in the weights while Belargus is probably ideally suited by another half-mile.
Sky Pirate 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders on inside, closed going well 3 out, challenged last, soon led and quickened 2 lengths clear, reduced lead towards finish, just held on, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar beating Entoucas (10-11) by shd, 19 ran.
Hatcher (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, ridden 4 out, weakened quickly, tailed off, virtually pulled up, last of 6, dist behind Tonto's Spirit (10-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Voix Du Reve (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent, bumped with rival 1st, a little keen, on terms after 2nd, soon headed, slight mistake 5th, no extra and slightly impeded 3 out, 11th of 19, dist behind Sully D'Oc Aa (10-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Before Midnight 6-4fav (10-9) Led until 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd from 6th, led approaching 5 out, bad mistake 4 out, 4 lengths clear 2 out, all out, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Court Royale (10-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Solar Impulse (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Last pair, slow 10th, not fluent 12th, last and outpaced 4 out, well held 2 out, went 3rd last, kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Rhythm Is A Dancer (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Leapaway (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd last, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Worcester 2m hcp (2) gd in Sep beating Mercian Prince (11-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bathiva (FR) 11-5fav (11-6) Chased leaders, raced keenly, hit 8th, ridden 3 out, no extra 2 out, 4th of 5, 14 3/4l behind Leapaway (11-5) at Worcester 2m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Belargus (FR) 16-5 (11-0) Patiently ridden in 6th, good headway tracking leaders before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on to lead and flashed tail briefly run-in, gamely, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Falco Blitz (11-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
Ashutor (FR) 18-1 (11-5) Held up in last pair, good headway out wide chasing leaders before 2 out, weakened and lost places towards finish, 5th of 8, 12 3/4l behind Belargus (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
