tracked leaders, took keen hold, outpaced before 4 out, weakened 3 out
led until outjumped 4 out, stayed on same pace after, no chance with winner
held up, outpaced 4 out, well beaten 3 out
took keen hold, tracked leader until hit 6th, weakened 3 out, well held 4th when belted 2 out and unseated rider
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 6th until 8th, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace from after 4 out
held up in rear, closed travelling well from 6th, went 2nd 8th, led and great jump 4 out, soon clear, very easily
Amuse Me has become expensive to follow and was pulled up behind DEAN'S GRANGE at Newton Abbot earlier this month. Colin Tizzard's gelding is only 4lb higher here and appears back to his best so gets the vote ahead of Piment D'Estruval, who is probably high enough in the weights now. Both Tyup Pompey and Chicago Alley could figure if at their best but the former returns from a break while the latter has disappointed since scoring at Bangor in April. Schumpters Lad is unexposed but will do well to win here on these terms.
Potemkin (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 4th, mistake next, ridden 8th, well held 3 out, 7th of 8, 40l behind Oceana Gold (11-4) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
Schumpters Lad (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hampered 11th, close 3rd 4 out, blundered and well by winner from 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Gan On (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Jul.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Prominent, led 7th, headed 13th, led 16th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed and squeezed out 2 out, 4th and beaten last, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 21l behind Pilgrims Lane (10-12) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Chicago Alley 12-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway to go 2nd 5 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 43l behind Knight Legend (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
Dean's Grange 9-2 (11-5) Held up in 5th, headway to chase leader 7th, led 4 out, 4 lengths ahead last, weakened towards finish, just held on, all out, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf beating Exulto (11-12) by ns, 9 ran.
Piment D'estruval (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, closed 8th, not fluent 11th, close 3rd 4 out, blundered badly 2 out, held next, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Princely Hero (10-0) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Amuse Me 5-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling 8th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Dean's Grange (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf, 9 ran.
