held up, pushed along approaching 4 out, never dangerous
led, headed after 2nd, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, weakened after 3 out
held up, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off
in touch, led after 3 out, headed approaching next, weakened last
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, one pace from next
held up, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on well
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, chased leaders 4 out, weakened after 3 out
close up, led after 2nd, headed after 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, one pace
held up mid-division, weakened 4 out
close up, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching last, one pace
The progressive GRAND OPERA may be able to continue his winning spree with Oceana Gold and Zarinava two others that are fancied to give good accounts. The selection was decent on the level and a tilt at the Cambridgeshire is reportedly being considered but he's also useful over the sticks and Gordon Elliott has made good use of the gelding's lower mark. He's significantly higher now of course but has been winning in the style of a horse that has plenty more to offer. Valain will have his supporters but he's been second on his last three starts under both codes and is thoroughly exposed; the yard are also represented by the unexposed Tribes And Banner who could give a good account. Oceana Gold has had a good year thus far and is closely matched with Is It Me on their latest running at Market Rasen; they should be involved although the former doesn't always find as much as seems likely. Zarinava has to prove her ability to act on quick ground but she has shown a decent level of form over obstacles, particularly when close up behind Go Native in a race won by the impressive Hurricane Fly. There was plenty to like about her latest outing over hurdles too and she has claims. The list could clearly be extended in a race as competitive as this but we'll be siding with Grand Opera.
Katies Tuitor 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway approaching 6th, weakened before 2 out, 11th of 13, 48l behind Cootehill (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd in Jul.
Marodima (FR) 40-1 (11-6) Prominent, pulled hard, led after 3rd, mistake next, not fluent 6th, jumped right and hit 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 17, 18l behind Oh Crick (11-1) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Oceana Gold 5-1 (11-12) In touch, went 2nd 3 out, every chance approaching last, no extra, 4th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Toshi (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd.
Is It Me (USA) 33-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led after 1st, headed 4th, driven to challenge 3 out, stayed on well under pressure towards finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Toshi (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd.
Turf War (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 6th before 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 6th of 9, 24l behind Dani California (11-7) at Tramore 2m hdl gd.
Mutual Friend (USA) 5-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway to challenge 2 out, kept on and every chance until ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Rippling Ring (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gd in Jul.
Valain (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 2 out where on terms when slight mistake, headed at last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Dani California (11-7) at Tramore 2m hdl gd.
Ellerslie Tom 18-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, hit 2 out, soon beaten, 9th of 15, 20l behind Toshi (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd.
Zarinava (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, dropped to 7th halfway, headway into 4th approaching straight, no impression from 2 out, kept on, 4th of 9, 5l behind Jumbo Rio (11-5) at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 3 sft in Jul.
Amazing King (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and led 3 out, joined next, kept on until headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind European Dream (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Feb.
Izita Star 3-1fav (11-12) Held up, in touch 4th, chased winner 6th until 3 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 8, 24l behind Ellerslie Tom (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Apr.
Enlightenment (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Prominent, hit 9th, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Safari Journey (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Decoy Daddy (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Soon led, headed 5th, led again approaching 2 out, soon headed, no extra in 4th from before last, 4th of 9, 16l behind Dani California (11-7) at Tramore 2m hdl gd.
Tribes And Banner (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in rear, in touch when fell 3 out, in a race won by Indian Spring (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gf, 7 ran.
Helens Vision 20-1 (11-1) Prominent, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 33l behind Toshi (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd.
Dishdasha (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Held up in touch and keen, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 22l behind Dancewiththedevil (9-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
Gloucester 7-2 (11-6) Held up in 5th, improved before 6th, weakened 2 out, hit last, 5th of 8, 16l behind Acambo (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jun.
Grand Opera (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway in 3rd 3 out, challenged next and soon led, ridden clear before last, kept on strongly, easily, won at Killarney 2m 1f EXt hcp hdl sft beating Hot Port (10-13) by 6l, 7 ran.
