led, reminder after 5th, headed 6th, led again 10th until 11th, no impression on winner from 3 out
tracked leader, led 6th, not fluent 8th, headed 10th, led 11th, hit 15th, clear from 3 out, not fluent last, easily
close 3rd, mistake and ridden 15th, one pace and no impression on winner form 3 out
Nonrunner
Peter and Sean Bowen teamed up to win last year's renewal and can strike again with DANIMIX (NAP), who takes a huge drop in grade after only failing by a neck to land a Class 2 contest at Cartmel off this mark at the end of August. Shantou Tiger's run behind Ballykan at Uttoxeter last month was boosted when the winner followed up at Chepstow on Wednesday. He looks the danger as Copper Birch needs the ground a lot softer than this and Ballyvoneen is better at Plumpton than anywhere else.
Shantou Tiger (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Led, jumped right 2nd, headed 4 out, only 2 lengths down last, no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Ballykan (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m (4) gd in Sep.
Danimix (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Tracked leader, lost place 13th, 5th and outpaced after last, soon ridden, rallied on outside final final furlong, closed on front pair towards finish, just held, 3rd of 6, nk behind Dreamsoftheatre (10-9) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Ballyvoneen (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 20 1/2l behind King Fontaine (11-9) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Copper Birch (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 22l behind Thomas Wild (11-8) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
