chased leaders on outside, 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, driven and one pace run-in
chased leader, slight lead after 4th until pushed along and headed after 7th, chased winner until 4 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out, beaten when blundered next
last pair, reminders and struggling after 5th, never on terms
held up in touch, headway on inside chasing leaders before 4 out, ridden and one pace when hung left after 2 out, weakened
took keen hold in rear, never a factor, tailed off and eased after 7th, soon pulled up
led until after 4th, pressed leader until after 7th, weakened rapidly, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
keen, chased leaders on inside, slight lead after 7th until 2 out, chased leader, led again last, driven and kept on gamely run-in
in touch, headway chasing leaders after 7th, weakened before 3 out
took keen hold, chased leaders, slightly outpaced when hit 3 out, rallied on outside approaching next, 3rd and one pace between last 2
Nonrunner
Listen To The Man and Dear Sire have both had a profitable summer. The latter is rated 5lb higher but the former is receiving 4lb. Recent Newton Abbot winner Amour de Nuit, Gustave Mahler, Tommy Rapper and Poetic Rhythm are also rated in the 130s but it's not hard to imagine at least one of the less-exposed novices won't improve past them. Black Mischief got off the mark at Warwick in May and Equus Amadeus made a winning start over timber at Uttoxeter. Ballymountain Boy is two from two this season but it must be significant that Colin Tizzard is throwing VISION DES FLOS in at the deep end. Bought for 270,000 euros after winning a Punchestown bumper in April, he could be anything.
Amour de Nuit (IRE) 4-7fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, clear flat, pushed out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gs in Sep beating Flashing Glance (11-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Ballymountain Boy (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leader to 4 out, regained 2nd before 3 out, soon challenged, ridden before 2 out, led before last, held on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gs in Sep beating Whoshotwho (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Black Mischief 15-8 (11-2) Mid-division, headway before 4th, 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m mdn (4) gd in May beating Get Rhythm (11-2) by 11l, 9 ran.
Dear Sire (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, blundered and lost place next, one pace before last, ridden and no impression flat, lost 4th near finish, 5th of 15, 5 1/2l behind Listen To The Man (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
Equus Amadeus (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Held up in rear, travelled strongly, left 4th at the 2nd, closed before 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Sep beating The Welsh Paddies (10-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Gustave Mahler (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed before last, held when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Cool Sky (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Poetic Rhythm (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) In rear, badly hampered 5th, struggling 3 out, never a threat, tailed off, 11th of 15, dist behind Willoughby Court (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Tommy Rapper (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Behind, blundered 4th, outpaced 2 out, never on terms, well held when hampered last, 8th of 15, 32l behind Penhill (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Soon raced in 9th, improved travelling smoothly to dispute 5th before straight, soon prominent, challenged and on terms over 1f out, soon gained narrow lead, strongly pressed and kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Apr beating Hollowgraphic (11-4) by nk, 16 ran.
Listen To The Man (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, driven clear when mistake last, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep beating Hello Sweetie (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 15 ran.
