tracked leaders, smooth headway 4 out, led before next, soon clear, driven out easily
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, led 6th, headed before 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance of winner
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
led after 1st, headed 6th, soon outpaced, no impression from 3 out
held up, always behind
led to after 1st, with leader, lost place before 3 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, one pace from next, no impression
always behind
always behind
Nonrunner
William Butler may be able to defy topweight in an open event. Kirby's Vic is the obvious starting point following his win at Worcester but this appears to be more competitive and he will do well to follow up. Stablemate Phildari was entitled to need his latest start and isn't ruled out whilst support for Red Man Ray on his return to action would be worth noting. Ground Breaker has gone up 10lbs in the weights and will find this tougher whilst Chigorin may find that this trip stretches his stamina just too far. Eborarry is a really consistent sort but winning doesn't come easily to him and it would be no surprise were he to find one too strong again. The selection boasts a similar record but he has changed yards since disappointing on his latest start and is put forward in the hope that a change of scenery will bring about a change of luck; he certainly has the ability, is on a fair enough mark and will handle the ground. Evan Williams has his string in good form and we'll be hoping that he can persuade William Butler to put his head in front on the line.
William Butler (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Held up, closed 9th, not fluent 11th, ridden and weakening when hit 18th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Super Judge (9-13) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Eborarry (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Copper Bay (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Made all, jumped right from 4th, clear 6th, unchallenged, won at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Dancewiththedevil (11-12) by 16l, 12 ran.
Phildari (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, left in lead 4th, blundered 6th, headed after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 11, 38l behind Vital Spark (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Chigorin 7-1 (10-5) Held up, steady headway 9th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led last, headed last 100 yards, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Rathmulen (11-4) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Ground Breaker 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led after 7th, drew clear from 2 out, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun beating Macreater (10-2) by 7l, 12 ran.
Drum Native (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Always behind, blundered 4th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Ground Breaker (10-13) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Red Man Ray (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Tracked winner, ridden 4 out, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Alam (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar '07.
Golly (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Hdwy to ld 6; hdd 9; led 12-14; lost plce rap, 7th of 8, 43l behind Adventurist (12-0) at Lower Machen 3m ptp frm in May.
Kimoe Warrior 6-1 (9-9) Held up, some headway 10th, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 36l behind Vital Spark (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Night Reveller (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Pressed winner until after 6th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, 5th of 10, well behind Golan Way (11-7) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gf in Jun.
King Diamond (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Haunted House (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Mycenean Prince (USA) 8-1 (10-1) Swerved left and unseated rider in race won by Ground Breaker (10-13) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun, 12 ran.
