in rear, under pressure and mistake 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden and struggling after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, chased winner before 6th to 3 out, driven and beaten between last 2
held up in touch, headway 6th, chased winner 3 out, hit 2 out, no impression when hit last, closed as winner heavily eased towards finish
in touch, weakened under pressure before 3 out
in touch, driven and struggling before 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last.
in touch, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold in rear, struggling 5th, tailed off
led until 6th, weakened quickly before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leader to after 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out.
not fluent, tracked leaders, led 6th, ridden well clear between last 2, hit last, heavily eased near finish
Deo Gratias is taken to get the better of Very Special One and Mistified, with Barranco worth a mention. William Kennedy has sprung to prominence this season and his booking for Deo Gratias can only be a positive. Mark Pitman's five-year-old was twice successful on the Flat in Poland, and although nothing special in five starts here last year, showed positive signs on his latest outing at Towcester. Ridden by James Tudor in that amateur riders' event, he stayed on well to finish second, and should be suited by the step back up in trip off what is still a reasonable mark. The stable are going great guns at present, and he can add to the tally by accounting for Very Special One. Kim Bailey's mare stayed on nicely on her Worcester return and will be expected to come on for the run, so should be placed at least. Mistified has been pretty busy this year but has been hard to place and has had more chances than most, so although boasting plenty of experience is worth taking on again. Of the rest, Barranco at least hails from a stable that houses some fairly useful hurdlers, but he has yet to show any worthwhile form, unlike Deo Gratias who can go one better here.
Bayadere (GER) 40-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 10th of 14, well behind Alph (11-1) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd.
Cosi Celeste (FR) 40-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, behind from 11th, 11th of 13, well behind Altitude Dancer (9-8) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in May.
Very Special One (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) With leader, led 2nd to 3rd, every chance 3 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Novacella (10-10) at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (E) gd.
Mistified (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Held up behind leading pair, tracked winner from 5th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, one pace, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Come Bye (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft.
Barranco (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 14, 29l behind Phar Out Phavorite (11-9) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Apr.
Deo Gratias (POL) 11-2 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and every chance 2 out, faded, 2nd of 18, 7l behind The Hairy Lemon (10-13) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Oct.
Nod's Star 6-1 (10-3) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden when hit 2 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Lilac (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (E) gs in Jul, 13 ran.
Desertmore Chief (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In touch until weakened approaching 7th, 6th of 7, well behind Soleil Fix (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft.
Dancing Shirley 33-1 (10-1) In touch, chased leader from 3rd, ridden after 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Majlis (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f clm hdl (F) gd in Nov '04.
Mongino (GER) 33-1 (9-12) Held up, pushed along 4th, hit 7th and 8th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Red Perk (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) sft in Oct, 8 ran.
Paddy Boy (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until weakened after 6th, 6th of 11, 28l behind Critical Stage (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f clm hdl (F) gs.
