held up, headway and went 2nd from 7th, led before 2 out, not fluent last, very easily
took keen hold, slow 1st, tracked leader after 2nd, led 6th, ridden and headed before 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway and went 3rd after not being fluent 7th, mistake 3 out, soon one pace, jumped right 2 out, no extra last
tracked leader until after 2nd, not fluent 4th or 5th, outpaced after 7th, weakened 3 out
led, not fluent 2nd, headed 6th, weakened after next, soon pulled up
last after slow jumps 1st and 2nd, ridden after 5th, closed before next, ridden and weakening when mistake 7th, soon pulled up
NABUCCO is hard to oppose in this, despite giving weight to his six rivals. A dual Listed winner on the Flat, his second to Cardinal Palace at Aintree in June has worked out well and he easily beat a previous winner next time at Market Rasen. Fact Of The Matter has won a bumper so may have more pace than another winning pointer, Ballyarthur. Denboy is bred for jumping so worth monitoring while Baltic Storm had decent form on the level in Germany and should find a race or two over hurdles.
Nabucco 4-9fav (10-12) Chased leaders, challenged before 2 out, soon led, clear last, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Jul beating Dire Straits (11-2) by 6l, 7 ran.
Ballyarthur (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Rcd 4th, ld 2out, sn went clr, wknd late but alw in control, won at Tyrella 3m mdn gd in Jan beating Shanroe Street (12-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Baltic Storm (IRE) (8-9) 5th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Ito (8-9) at Hoppegarten 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in Apr.
Denboy (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of Miss Denman.
Dr Izzymoo (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went left 3rd, weakened after next, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up 2 out, at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Leith Hill (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up behind in touch, not fluent and reminder after 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up after next, at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Fact Of The Matter (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led halfway, clear final 2f, kept on well, eased close home, won at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Sep beating Desert Retreat (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.