held up towards rear, pulled hard, switched left and headway after 3 out, led approaching last, headed narrowly flat, driven ahead close home, just prevailed
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
held up in rear, pulled hard, not clear run after 3 out, headway approaching next, not clear run again after 2 out, challenged last, led narrowly flat, headed close home, just denied
held up in 4th, mistake 4th, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leader, led and mistake 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace
led, mistake 4th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, eased and pulled up before last
held up in rear, in touch on outside 3 out, improved 2 out, ridden and stayed on same pace approaching last
Timocracy has been in fantastic form winning six Sellers on the flat this year but he offers less appeal over timber and with an increased trip. Contrada has improved with each start over jumps but he would prefer the ground to dry up a bit, whilst Wilbury Star would also favour quicker conditions. Nicky Henderson's gelding has been jumping well this year including a win at Newton Abbot in June and should be in contention come the finish. TIGNELLO just gets the vote ahead of Freedom Fire as he won nicely over course and distance last time. He still has more to offer over hurdles and Paul Nicholls has a perfect record at the course this year. Freedom Fire was disappointing last time out but was in good form prior to this and is respected.
Freedom Fire (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway next, mistake 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Admiral Dundas (10-9) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Wilbury Star (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, joined leader 6th, ridden to lead narrowly before 2 out, headed between last 2, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 12, 6l behind Safe Catch (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Tignello (IRE) 2-1 (10-7) Held up, pulled hard, close 3rd 5th, led approaching last, ridden clear flat, won at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug beating Halling Gal (10-11) by 8l, 6 ran.
Contrada 12-1 (10-12) Led until 2nd, chased leader, led after 3 out until ridden approaching last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Zafar (11-12) at Southwell 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Don't Think Twice (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Towards rear, slight mistake 4 out, soon no impression, 5th of 9, 36l behind Satu (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gf in Aug.
Timocracy 11-8fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 11, 31l behind Prioryjo (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f am nov sll hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Strictly Business 9-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, went 5th 6th, never on terms, went remote 4th approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, well behind Lucaindubai (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Timoca (IRE) 11-2 (10-4) Mid-division, hampered 4th, headway 7th, weakened approaching normal 2 out, 6th of 12, 14l behind Penyfan Dawn (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
