tracked leader, jumped well, led 4 out, drew away 2 out, well clear run-in and eased, not extended
mid-division, closed up 5th, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, plugged on, never a danger
held up in rear, prominent 7th, pressed leader from 8th, not fluent 4 out and dropped to 3rd, rallied and chased leader before 2 out, soon held and weakened last
chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, stayed on and went 2nd close home, no chance with facile winner
towards rear, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 13th, tailed off 5 out
led, headed 4 out and pushed along, hit 3 out, kept on, lost well held 2nd towards finish
mid-division, in rear 7th, closed up home turn, pushed along after 4 out, stayed on same pace, never threatened
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Eva's Oskar is having a first run since unseating his rider in the Grand National in April but has gone well here in the past. Tea Clipper is 4lb lower than when only beaten a neck in this last year and he’s won over fences and hurdles around here. Certainly Red starts the new campaign on a high enough mark but goes well fresh and French Paradoxe won both completed starts last term. COURTLAND is upped in trip again but is race-fit and in fine form. A further 10lb rise could be a problem but he may well win again before being put away when the ground turns with Brief Times having 14 lengths to find on Worcester running. Threeunderthrufive is preferred to Switch Hitter of the Nicholls pair but Hidden Heroics is a more interesting contender.
Stolen Silver (FR) 40-1 (11-11) Prominent early, chased leaders, slow and lost place 12th, soon behind, 15th of 23, 29 1/2l behind Seddon (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Eva's Oskar (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Mid-division, badly hampered and unseated rider 19th, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
French Paradoxe (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Not fluent in rear, hampered 2nd, mistake 18th, headway 21st, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Tea Clipper (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 5th, ridden before 8th, well beaten 4 out, mistake 2 out, 9th of 12, 34 3/4l behind Gloire D'Athon (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Coeur Serein (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 10th, ridden 14th, fell 4 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Emir Sacree (FR) 9-1 (10-13) Pressed leader, pushed along before 4 out, weakened quickly before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) gs in May.
Strictlyadancer (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Caribean Boy (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Threeunderthrufive (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, close up 4 out, driven 3 out, held before last, stayed on, 4th of 18, 6 1/4l behind Kitty's Light (11-0) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Courtland (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway from 11th, went 2nd 4 out, led before last, clear when rider dropped whip flat, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Go On Chez (10-11) by 12l, 12 ran.
Certainly Red 10-1 (10-10) Off the pace in last pair, some headway past beaten rivals run-in, never involved, 7th of 16, 17 1/2l behind Kitty's Light (10-8) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Brief Times (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, led, jumped right 12th, headed before last, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Courtland (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Switch Hitter (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, bumped 1st, headed before 2nd, chased leader, not fluent 10th, mistake 13th, led before 3 out, driven out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Feb beating Wake Up Early (10-8) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Hidden Heroics (FR) 9-1 (11-11) Jumped right, led 1st until 3rd, led 5th, headed 11th, not fluent 12th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 25l behind Kinondo Kwetu (12-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
Manothepeople (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Jumped right a few times, prominent, led and mistake 2nd, headed 7th, led after 9th, headed 15th, led 16th, headed after 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
