held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
pulled hard in mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, hard driven over 2f out, faded
held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
led, headed over 3f out, led again over 1f out, hard ridden, stayed on well
pulled hard in mid-division, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, under pressure over3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, soon no impression
held up in rear, headway over 10f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
mid-division, under pressure well over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, smooth headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon hard ridden, never able to challenge
always behind
Nonrunner
VERTUEUX is one of only two course winners in the field and landed this contest last year. His form since has been generally modest but he's now 2lb lower than when scoring twelve months ago. His useful conditional's allowance will help too and he's worth rowing in with to complete the double. Stable companion Blazing Buck is also worth keeping an eye on as he stays this trip and looks on a decent mark. Uncle Keef has been a real disappointment for the Nicky Henderson yard over hurdles and it will be interesting to see if the move to the in-form Brendan Powell sparks improvement. Picot De Say has never been the easiest to get a handle on but will get involved if on a going day.
Uncle Keef (IRE) 11-2 (8-4) Took keen hold early, chased leaders after 4f, pushed along 5f out, soon lost place, 8th of 9, 34l behind Addwaitya (9-6) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
Miles of Sunshine 17-2 (9-1) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 12l behind Colonel Sherman (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f clm stks 0-60 (6) pol.
Picot de Say 5-1 (8-4) Soon tracking leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, stayed on, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Resplendent Light (9-1) at Chepstow 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Blazing Buck 7-2 (8-13) Ridden along to lead, ridden and headed over 4f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Trojan Gift (9-7) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jun.
Summer Affair (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 9, 11l behind Colonel Sherman (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f clm stks 0-60 (6) pol.
Pergamon (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Held up, behind final 4f, 8th of 9, 28l behind Lucky Diva (8-6) at Warwick 1m 5f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Rock Peak (IRE) 11-1 (8-3) Prominent, took keen hold, led 9f out, headed 6f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 13l behind Resplendent Light (9-1) at Chepstow 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Captain Oats (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Turjuman (9-4) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jun.
Court Princess 12-1 (8-5) Went slightly left start, held up mid-division, pushed along 8f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 20l behind Kavaloti (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Princesse Fleur 25-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, took keen hold, led 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Dark Dune (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Band Of Thunder 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon held up in touch, ridden and edged left over 4f out, well beaten final 3f, 4th of 6, 21l behind Galivant (8-7) at Chepstow 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs in Jun.
Laffraaj (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 21l behind Susan Stroman (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Dream Catcher (SWE) 10-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, raced wide, in touch, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 11l behind Kayaan (9-1) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Vertueux (FR) 6-1 (9-3) Prominent, pushed along 9f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 16l behind Spinning Waters (8-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
