led, driven and headed flat, rallied to regain lead towards finish
tracked leaders, chased winner after 3 out until approaching next, still close 3rd last, switched left flat, ran on
soon in touch, jumped slowly 4th, not fluent 3 out, not fluent and weakened next
pressed winner until after 3 out, weakened before next
held up in 5th, jumped slowly and outpaced 5th, rallied approaching 2 out, weakened before last, hung left flat
held up towards rear, headway on inside 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, led flat, driven and headed towards finish
in rear, jumped right 1st, not fluent 3rd, closed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
pulled hard in rear, not fluent 2nd, weakened approaching 2 out
RUSSIAN GEORGE can take the measure of Sir Frank and Royal Entourage. Placed in a decent Aintree maiden, he confirmed the value of that form with victory next time out at Uttoxeter. On that evidence, there is plenty more to come. Sir Frank carries the famous Frank Anson colours and is proven on the surface. Beaten when odds on last time out - he is hastily dropped back to the minimu m trip. Royal Entourage was a winner on the flat for Ger Lyons. He can be forgiven a blip on his first start for his new trainer. Not A Bob attracted exactly that in the betting ring before his recent start and does not exactly shape as a stable star. A race that won't take a great deal of winning and Russian George is best equipped in our view.
Sir Frank (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 3rd approaching 7th, ridden to chase winner approaching and hit last, soon weakened, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Majestic Mayhem (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Russian George (IRE) Evensfav (10-9) Tracked leaders, jumped right 4th, jumped right and mistake 7th, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, in command when jumped right last, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Basford Tara (10-5) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Loyal Knight (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Mid-division, weakened from over 3f out, 9th of 13, 22l behind Bollin Freddie (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Jun (flat).
Not A Bob (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, last of 6, 27l behind Vincitore (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Royal Entourage 20-1 (10-5) Held up, weakened 3 out, mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Rubipresent (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun, 7 ran.
Society Venue 15-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, 4th, not ridden before 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 26l behind Russian George (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Play To Win (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) In touch in chasing group, weakened 4f out, last of 11, well behind Haljaferia (10-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f Ladies Handicap (0-70) (3yo+) (5) gf in Jun (flat).
Carrifran (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, led 2nd, mistake 3rd and 5th, jinked right and headed 6th, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, 43l behind Sahrati (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4yo nov stks (4) gf.
Sound of Silver 100-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders to halfway, 13th of 15, well behind Katapult (11-1) at Catterick 2m am mdn N H flat (6) sft in Jan '08.
