0raced wide, led, not fluent 4th, mistake 6th, headed 3 out, soon pushed along, held when not fluent 2 out
mid-division, dropped to rear and ridden after 3 out, struggling when hit 2 out
close up, not fluent 6th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out where not fluent, kept on one pace flat
with leaders, led 3 out, pushed along before last, ridden flat, ran on well
Champagne City has gone up 4lb for winning at Worcester but is in good form and has run well off higher marks in the past. THIBAULT came of age last season and it’s possible that the handicapper hasn’t yet got to grips with Adam West’s charge, who can make a winning return to action ahead of July’s Newton Abbot winner Small Bad Bob and the promising Pasvolsky. Easier ground and a step up in grade may thwart Wasdell Dundalk’s hat-trick bid.
Champagne City 6-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, jumped left 1st, went 2nd 5th, led before 3 out, wandered into last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Solstalla (10-0) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Pasvolsky (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led until 3rd, chased leader, led again briefly on long run before 2 out, weakening quickly when blundered badly 2 out, eased, 11th of 14, dist behind Herbiers (10-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Thibault 12-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, plugged on run-in, 5th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Scaramanga (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Wasdell Dundalk (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, effort to lead before 3 out, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed narrowly last, led again flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Castel Gandolfo (11-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Small Bad Bob (IRE) 1-5fav (11-0) Tracked leader, hit 5th, led going well approaching 3 out, clear before next, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) sft in Jul beating Hazy Dream (10-7) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
