led after 1st, blundered 4th, headed after 7th, weakened from 4 out
led until after 1st, weakened from 4 out
held up, hit 9th, weakened from 4 out
held up in touch and keen, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, one pace
with leaders, led after 7th, headed 3 out, led next, kept on well
held up, headway 4 out, one pace from next
held up mid-division, hit 3rd, hit 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
chased leaders, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 3 out
always behind weakened from 4 out
MAGE D'ESTRUVAL is our pick in this contest with Money Point and Smart Street as the alternatives. Henry Daly's team are in fair form at present and having ran well at this track in the past, we offer our verdict the way of his former hunter-chaser.True, the trip is the worry but he has been recognised in the past as being a particularly strong traveller. Money Point ran creditably over an inadequate trip on his most recent start. Nevertheless, that run will have removed a fair chunk of ringrust and he comes into this race with two outings under his belt. Smart Street is yet to score over fences. He faced a difficult task chasing Crocodiles Rock last time out and this looks to be much more his level. Corlande ran lamentably on his seasonal reappearance and simply has to do better. First time blinkers are applied. Pentasilea is a likeable mare and she makes her chasing debut today. Billesey looked to blow up badly on his seasonal reappearance and should have come on for the run. Categorial has been busy on the flat this summer whilst Quentin D'Ex makes a first run in Britain for new connections. An intriguing affair that can go to Mage D'Estruval.
Billesey (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Tracked leader until after 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 10, 28l behind Creinch (9-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Mage d'Estruval (FR) 10-3fav (11-3) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner after 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, lost 2nd last, no extra, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Fourty Acers (11-7) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Smart Street 28-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, weakened 4th, 8th of 10, well behind Crocodiles Rock (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Oct.
Money Point (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In touch, close to order 7th, left 2nd, approaching 5 out, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 10, 22l behind Araldur (11-3) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Corlande (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Towards rear, reminders and behind from 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Hello Bud (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Categorical 15-2 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, kept on after last, nearest finish, 3rd of 15, 15l behind Nirvana Swing (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Quentin D'ex (FR) (10-6) pulled up in race won by Pistol Jack (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 4f ch hvy in May, 13 ran.
Pentasilea 9-1 (11-5) In touch, jumped right 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 22l behind Owlesbury Dream (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Gus 14-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Artipreuil (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
