held up towards rear, headway under pressure after 3 out, went 3rd and not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
led at strong pace, headed 3 out, soon weakened, hit 2 out
held up well in rear, smooth headway after 3 out, went 2nd on bit approaching 2 out, led and hit last, quickened clear flat
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression when hit 2 out
held up in rear, hit 4 out, never in contention
not fluent, always behind
prominent, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, soon clear, came wide on bend well before 2 out, reduced lead next, headed last, weakened flat, lost 2nd near finish
in touch, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on under pressure flat, went 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
behind, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on last, kept on flat
chased leader to 4th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
headway 4th, chased leaders next, hit 4 out, weakened
towards rear, well behind 4 out, soon tailed off, pulled up approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Twist Bookie comes here in great form and can make it three wins on the bounce, Equilibria and Compton Star look to be the best alternatives. The selection landed a handicap chase in great style back in October and was even more impressive when successful over hurdles last time out. He led on the bit before cruising away up the run in. Today's rise in the weights shouldn't be enough to stop a repeat victory. Equilibria has been steadily improving through the summer. The drop in trip could suit and a big run is expected. Compton Star ran his usual game race last time out when just touched off by Rajam and he will be hard to keep out of the frame this afternoon. Monfils Monfils and High Life are from top yards and also warrant respect, but it is hard to get away from the chances of Twist Bookie and he gets the verdict.
Roby De Cimbre (FR) 11-2 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, effort 2 out, one pace after, 9th of 17, 11l behind Mill House Girl (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Monfils Monfils (USA) Evensfav (11-12) In touch, ridden and chased leaders 2 out, one pace after, 4th of 7, 5l behind Rajam (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Kempley Green (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Chased leader, joined leader 3rd, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed last, no extra, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind I'msingingtheblues (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Twist Bookie (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, challenged 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, easily, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Lupin (10-11) by 6l, 7 ran.
High Life 13-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 8th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 30l behind Solway Sunset (9-7) at Aintree 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in May.
Sayago (GER) 15-8fav (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Golden Square (10-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Royal Wedding 7-2fav (10-12) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Voir Dire (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo mdn hdl (D) gf in Oct '05.
Equilibria (USA) 11-2 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on last, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Iron Maid (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Compton Star 7-2 (10-1) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, led 2 out, headed last, hard ridden and every chance flat, just failed, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Rajam (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
It's Rumoured 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, weakened after 4th, 8th of 14, 37l behind Ceoperk (10-13) at Warwick 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
Golden Square 33-1 (10-8) With leader, led 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, pressed flat, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct beating Seattle Robber (10-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Sundarbob (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, driven to chase winner briefly approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 12l behind Golden Square (10-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Strider 66-1 (10-11) Never reached beyond mid-division, 10th of 15, 38l behind Strawberry (11-3) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft in Mar.
Nawaadi 15-2 (10-8) In rear, ridden after 5th, no real progress, 8th of 12, 21l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
