led, mistake 8th, headed 9th, outpaced from 5 out, eased and tailed off 3 out
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 3 out, no impression
in rear and in touch, led, chased leader 11th, led 3 out, soon clear, easily
chased leader, not fluent 7th, led 9th, headed 3 out, no chance with winner from next
Nonrunner
Aintree runner-up WEST WITH THE WIND is conceding plenty of weight to his four rivals but, with Uttoxeter selling hurdle winner Stage Acclaim and the hat-trick-seeking Nobunaga 6lb out of the handicap proper, may well be up to the task if Paul Moloney can conserve his stamina over this longer trip. Stablemate Trooper Clarence has been largely out of sorts since returning from a break while Cootehill has been found wanting in this grade in the past and is also probably high enough in the weights at present.
West With The Wind 5-1 (11-9) Led, blundered 7th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Rio Gael (10-0) at Aintree 2m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Cootehill (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to 4th flat, 4th of 17, 13l behind Mumbles Head (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden next, ran on well, eased close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd beating King Fingal (11-0) by 12l, 10 ran.
Nobunaga 9-4fav (10-5) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, headway 3 out, soon every chance, led before last, soon clear, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Sunday City (10-11) by 6l, 6 ran.
Trooper Clarence 14-1 (11-3) With leader until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Solaras Exhibition (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl (2) gs.
