took keen hold, in touch and chasing group, mistake 4th, disputing 2nd 3 out, soon shaken up and beaten, eased
led, soon clear, blundered 2nd, headed last, no extra
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, hampered 4th, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led on bit last, cruised clear
chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, beaten approaching last, weakened flat
mid-division, pushed along 5th, edged right and headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat to take 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner
chased leader, hit 4th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, beaten approaching last, one pace
in rear, ridden when mistake 5th, soon lost touch
Goldan Jess has done little wrong of late, placed in both starts since winning a selling hurdle at Sedgefield in May, and Tony Carroll's gelding is taken to resume winning ways here, getting the verdict ahead of El Coto and Coconut Beach. The last mentioned has yet to convince over hurdles but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has been given a chance by the handicapper so has to be respected. Michael Scudamore's Dark Energy disappointed when last seen over hurdles and looks best watched judged by recent flat form, while Kingscourt Lad has been running well in sellers but has disappointed off what seems too high a mark in recent outings in handicaps. El Coto looks to be going the right way now and has to be considered but Goldan Jess has plenty going for him and he is preferred.
Goldan Jess (IRE) 5-2co-fav (10-5) In touch, close up 3 out, led 2 out, pressed and headed flat, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Mutual Friend (11-3) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Kingscourt Lad (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed just before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Sualda (10-12) at Southwell 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd.
Coconut Beach 7-1 (11-9) Led to after 1st, prominent, ridden after 4th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 25l behind Chance du Roy (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
El Coto 9-2 (10-9) Chased leader, every chance approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Mizen Raven (11-5) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Dark Energy 7-4fav (11-3) Chased clear leader, closed up 3rd, ridden after 5th, weakened after 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Advancement (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jun, 7 ran.
Croon 16-1 (10-2) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 14l behind Wizard of Us (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jun.
Phoenix Eye 16-1 (10-7) Behind, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 8, 9l behind Buachaill On Eirne (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Aleemdar (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up, smooth headway 3 out, challenged next, led last, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind New Wish (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd.
Flanagans Choice (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 3rd, hit 5th, headed 7th, weakened approaching last, 6th of 14, 18l behind Honeybrook (10-6) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf in Jun.
So Extreme 33-1 (9-7) Held up last when pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Vintage Fabric (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf, 11 ran.
