tracked leaders, weakened before 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 8th, never dangerous
held up in rear, mistake 5th, not fluent 6th, headway after 4 out, in 4th and looking held when fell 3 out
held up mid-division, mistake 9th, mistake 3 out, went 3rd at last, no impression
tracked leader, led before 2nd, headed after 7th, led again 10th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden last, kept on towards finish
led, headed before 2nd, led after 7th, headed 10th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders in 4th, chased winner from 3 out, kept on run-in, held towards finish
Highland River will have had a major confidence boost with a comprehensive success on bottomless going at Uttoxeter, but trainer Dave Roberts will be very worried to see his former inmate BELLABOOSH amongst the opposition. Lawney Hill made a successful bid for her at the Ascot sales last month and she may be capable of making an immediate return on her investment. The six-year-old was undoubtedly disappointing when favourite on her most recent racecourse start, but there is a cogent argument to suggest that she is still exceptionally well treated in relation to her hurdling mark. Sentimentaljourney needs to bounce back from a below par run at Uttoxeter whilst Abbevillian makes a chasing bow having lost his way over hurdles. Ballybough Gorta chases a hat-trick having recorded victories at Hereford and Southwell. Peter Bowen's gelding should take a big hand in this race despite sitting some 4lb out of the handicap.
Abbevillian (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 20, well behind Valento (10-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Sentimentaljourney (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, lost place and not fluent next, reminder after 9th, not fluent 11th, weakened after next, 5th of 7, 45l behind Tuskar Rock (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Oscar Sierra (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, ridden and effort after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon hung left, 12th of 13, 40l behind Mexican Bob (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Highland River 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden 8th, hit 10th, went 2nd 2 out, soon led, clear before last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy beating Bring On The Judge (11-12) by 18l, 5 ran.
Bellaboosh (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Held up in , pushed along after 8th, headway 11th, chased (clear) winner after 4 out until before 2 out where hampered, one pace, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Wait No More (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Arrow Barrow (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, blundered 9th, soon lost place, kept on from 3 out, no impression, 4th of 8, 20l behind Karinga Queen (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Ballybough Gorta (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, led before next, quickened clear last, ran on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Mr Goofy (10-8) by 10l, 13 ran.
