tracked leaders, went 2nd before and led 2 out, clear before last, driven out, held on towards finish
held up towards rear and in touch, pushed along and outpaced from 2 out
held up in touch, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace from last
held up in rear, outpaced from 5th, weakened before 4 out
tracked leader until before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed when blundered 2 out, kept on from last, held towards finish
Only six have been entered for this but it still looks fairly open handicap. It's safe to assume that the luckless Kings Grey is Keith Reveley's stable pick with son James on board but his consistency means he gets no help from the handicapper. Rio Gael hasn't shown much lately and Mr Syntax has been off the track for a while but Tahiti Pearl improved again to win at Newcastle earlier this month and a further 6lb rise isn't excessive. BE DEFINITE was getting the better of True Blue when that rival fell at the last at Stratford. He's 5lb higher here but this appears to be his ground and trip and a follow-up is on the cards.
Kings Grey (IRE) 5-2 (10-4) Patiently ridden in rear, headway after last (usual 3 out), went 2nd and effort over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression with winner final furlong, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Idarah (10-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft.
Rio Gael (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Not fluent 3rd, towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, kept on run-in, never involved, 7th of 14, 14l behind Shooters Wood (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Mr Syntax (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) Held up, blundered 5th, never on terms, last of 6, 11l behind Rio Gael (10-0) at Aintree 2m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Columbus Secret (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, struggling halfway, headway when slow 9th, behind from 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Wyck Hill (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 9 ran.
Be Definite (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, narrowly led and left clear last, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Whatshallwedo (10-2) by 7l, 6 ran.
Tahiti Pearl (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd before 8th, led 8th, clear 2 out, held on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs beating Ros Castle (11-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
