led 2nd, not fluent 5th, ridden, headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last
led to 2nd, chased leader, slightly hampered 9th and 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, edged left and led flat, soon headed, no extra towards finish
patiently ridden, held up in touch, took closer order approaching 3 out, led flat, edged left towards finish, stayed on gamely
held up in touch, reminder at 7th, ridden approaching 10th, beaten 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden approaching 7th, weakened 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up, behind from 12th, tailed off
held up in touch, jumped left 9th and 10th, led 2 out, hit last, headed and no extra flat
behind from 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 9th
held up, behind from 12th, tailed off
took keen hold in rear, not fluent 1st, headway to 6th, behind from 11th, tailed off
An interesting handicap chase where Polished can continue his good form at the main expense of Pass Me By, Ballyrobert, and Garde Bien. The selection is due to go up 7lb very shortly, and is still running off a mark below his hurdling capabilities. All ground seems to come alike to him, and provided he gets the trip then he looks to have a fair bit more to come before the handicapper catches up with him. Ballyrobert shoulders joint top weight and runs here over his optimum trip, with conditions to suit. It's his first start for Charlie Egerton, and he may begin to realise his full potential with the change of yard, so he is definitely respected. Garde Bien is another interesting contender, having switched from Ferdy Murphy to Tim Easterby, though he usually needs a run and is probably better over two miles, while Pass Me By may give the selection most to do. Richard Guest's entrant won over this sort of trip on fast ground at Carlisle last time, and provided that the eye shield works the trick second time, then he should be thereabouts, but our preference here is for Polished, who can shine.
Ballyrobert (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Jumped left, led to 10th, weakened approaching 3 out, last of 4, 34l behind Jupon Vert (10-8) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) sft in Nov.
Pass Me By 7-1 (11-7) With leader, led 10th, made rest, ridden clear flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (E) gf beating Wee William (11-7) by 4l, 9 ran.
Melford (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Always behind, ridden 9th, mistake 11th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Tamango (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Ceannairceach (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Hit 1st, in touch, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 7, 19l behind Wet Lips (11-5) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf.
Garde Bien 7-2 (10-13) Held up in touch, pecked 8th, pushed along approaching 10th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 34l behind Noisetine (11-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Jan.
Gangsters R Us (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Towards rear, blundered 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Powder Creek (11-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Apr, 16 ran.
Polished 9-4fav (10-7) Chased leaders, led 8th, clear approaching 3 out, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs beating Va Vavoom (11-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Helvetius 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, quickly lost place 6th and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Keltic Lord (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Jul, 15 ran.
Glenfarclas Boy (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 9, 2l behind Nowator (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in May.
Macgyver (NZ) 66-1 (10-6) Always behind, 13th of 15, 26l behind Young Tot (11-2) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf.
