chased leading pair, hit 5th, went 2nd next, led 3 out, ridden and headed before next, chased leader until lost 2nd and slightly hampered 2 out, no extra in 3rd
led, narrowly blundered and headed 3 out, chased leader, led again before next, blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, shaken up in 2nd before 2 out, left in lead 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly
raced wide, always behind, pushed along and struggling 8th, soon lost touch, left remote 5th 4 out, left in 4th place next, tailed off
chased leader until 6th, chased leading pair until pushed along before 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, one pace before last
last pair, outpaced 8th, poor 5th when rider lost irons and pulled up before 4 out
Full Shift has moved to Ben Haslam from Nicky Henderson but would go close here if reproducing his best form. Irish raider King's Wharf would have every chance on his form in the autumn and Ifandbutwhynot and Witness In Court are back in the right grade after finding the competition too hot last time at Ayr and Aintree respectively. Oliver's Gold has only been raised a pound for a narrow win at Market Rasen but steps up a grade for this. AVIDITY is only a speculative choice having never figured last month at Ayr. But he’s fairly treated on his win at Bangor at this time last year and remains unexposed over the larger obstacles.
Witness In Court (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, blundered badly 8th, pecked 4 out, well beaten next, 8th of 14, 30 3/4l behind Double W's (11-1) at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Led, pecked 1st, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 10, dist behind Vaniteux (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
King's Wharf (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, slight mistakes 6th and 7th, ridden before straight in a dispute of 5th, progress to have every chance run-in, one pace closing stages, 6th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Elusive Ivy (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Jan.
Full Shift (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Led to before 5th, with winner, ridden and lost place before 3 out, no chance with front pair from next, 3rd of 7, 21 1/2l behind Mystifiable (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Avidity 15-2 (11-8) In touch, soon towards rear and outpaced 5 out, 5th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Chitu (11-5) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Oliver's Gold 7-2 (12-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led narrowly last, soon ridden, stayed on well closing stages, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Volt Face (11-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
