in touch on wide outside, took closer order after 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened before last
chased leaders, driven 3 out, soon lost place
behind, outpaced 3 out, headway after next, never nearer
mid-division, under pressure 2 out, weakening when mistake last
tracked leader, effort 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders, mistakes 1st and 2nd, progress to lead just after 2 out, headed flat, kept on
behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on into 3rd closing stages, nearest finish
keen in mid-division, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, no extra closing stages
mid-division, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
in rear, struggling 5 out, soon pulled up
tracked leader, driven to challenge from 2 out, no extra after last
mid-division, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, led just after 2 out, hard driven, stayed on well
led until soon after 2 out, weakened last
It's the time of reckoning for Longhouse Sale. The Skelton gelding has mopped up seven out of seven wins in bumper and novice hurdle company but now finds himself at the head of the weights facing an array of streetwise, battle-hardened handicappers. He may well prove significantly above average but the Newland yard are canny operators when preparing one for ultra-competitive hurdles and CHEF DE TROUPE could prove a handicap blot despite being 1lb out of the weights. He's dotted up the last twice and will feel he's running loose off 10-0. The unexposed Murphy pair of St Gallen and Valentino Dancer house similar credentials and the booking of Johnson and Coleman suggests connections mean business. Fransham and Nayati are just a couple of others to respect in a fascinating contest.
Longhouse Sale (IRE) 1-10fav (11-12) Chased clear leader, closed 6th, led before last, hard held, won at Ffos Las 2m (4) gd in Jun beating Manor Park (10-9) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
John Constable (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 9th of 14, 25 3/4l behind Wells De Lune (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Dino Velvet (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Towards rear, pushed along in 6th after 3 out, kept on run-in, 5th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Wells De Lune (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Nayati (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Held up, headway chasing leaders 5th, 2nd before 2 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Wells De Lune (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Passing Call 16-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, never on terms, 7th of 14, 18 1/2l behind Wells De Lune (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Legal History (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Led, hard pressed when switched left towards stands side rail before 2 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Fisher Green (11-3) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Ingleby Hollow 3-1 (9-7) Dwelt close up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind New Show (10-4) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
All Yours (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 3rd, went 2nd next, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, not much room last, switched left, no extra, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Tamarillo Grove (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Valentino Dancer 13-8fav (11-11) In rear, headway 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Wot A Shot (10-6) by 6l, 9 ran.
Fransham 1-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, quickened clear after last, easily, won at Kempton 2m (4) gf in Apr beating Light Gunner (10-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
Competition 9-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up in touch in rear, went right 5th, chased front pair after after 2 out, soon outpaced, never able to challenge, lost modest 3rd near finish, 4th of 6, 14 3/4l behind Graceland (11-2) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Cardigan Bay (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Raced wide, held up tracking leaders and bit keen, led on outside 2 out, headed last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Ena Baie (11-3) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
St Gallen (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Held up in touch, tracked leaders going well 2 out, shaken up to lead before last, ridden out flat, ran on, won at Kelso 2m hcp (3) gd in May beating Manamite (11-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
Grapevine (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Keen in rear, not clear run on rail over 1f out, switched left and headway soon after, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Stealth Fighter (9-13) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Chef De Troupe (FR) 4-7fav (11-11) With leader, jumped right and bumped 1st, led after 6th, clear when jumped right and hit 2 out, hit last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Camlad Kingfisher (11-3) by 10l, 12 ran.