made all, ridden after last, comfortably
tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, no impression last, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
behind, lost touch well before 3 out
pressed winner, not fluent 5th or 8th, lost 2nd 3 out, soon one pace, no extra flat
Despite making mistakes, SCOTCHTOWN made a winning start over hurdles in a similar race to this at Wetherby and may be capable of defying his penalty. It won't be easy, however, as Buble ran well for fourth at Newton Abbot following a lengthy absence and both Western Climate and Another Venture bring useful form between the flags to the table. Sutter's Mill and Schnabel probably have a bit to prove at present.
Scotchtown (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Pressed leader, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure when hard pressed flat, held on near finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct beating Saint Cajetan (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Another Venture (IRE) 8-1 (12-1) Md div, 4th 1/2way, 4th 4out, hdwy disp 2out, hdd bef last, ko, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Some Chaos (12-1) at Necarne 3m mdn gd in May.
Buble (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 4th of 14, 5l behind Capeland (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gd in Oct.
Sutter's Mill (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Not that fluent in rear, pushed along 4th, well beaten 3 out, 5th of 8, 36 1/2l behind Ballyhill (10-12) at Hereford 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Western Climate (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Hdwy 11; led last; rdn clr flat, won at Bitterley 3m gd in Apr beating Moon Stream (12-0) by 8l, 14 ran.
Schnabel (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 15, 36 1/2l behind Loud And Clear (11-7) at Ayr 2m (6) gs in Oct.