in touch, effort 2 out, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders after 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, hard driven 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, lost place after 4 out
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra after last
held up towards rear when fell 5th
held up towards rear, mistake 5 out, soon weakened
keen in rear, not fluent 4th, never dangerous
in touch, slow 8th, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 8th
led until 5th, led again approaching omitted 3 out, strongly challenged from last and throughout run in, all out, held on gamely
prominent, led 5th, headed approaching omitted 3 out, soon rallied, no extra closing stages
behind, smooth headway 5 out, chased leaders after next, every chance last and throughout run-in, hard ridden, always just held closing stages
A major highlight of the course's season and as competitive as ever. Those towards the head of the weights have plenty on but good runs are anticipated from the Nicholls pair of Alcala and Bagad Bihoue. Seefood is a fascinating contender, not having been seen since running in the 2017 Topham Chase at Aintree whilst Shantou Village would take the world of beating off this mark if rediscovering his best. Brian Boranha continues to progress and remains of interest but it would not surprise if Dan Skelton has had this target in mind for some time for TOO MANY DIAMONDS who completed a Southwell hat-trick earlier this season. This is obviously a major rise in grade but he's a young horse open to progress and gets carries a featherweight. More Buck's is an each-way option after impressing on his first run for Peter Bowen last time.
Alcala (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort before 2 out, soon ridden, took narrow 2nd and kept on flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Bagad Bihoue (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Days Of Heaven (FR) 3-1fav (11-9) Tracked leader, lost place when blundered badly and good recovery by rider 9th, soon in rear, no danger after, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Calett Mad (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, not fluent next, went 2nd after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, challenged travelling all over rival 2 out, soon led, went clear, very easily, won at Perth 3m lst (1) sft in Apr beating Scorpion Sid (11-0) by 31l, 3 ran.
Bagad Bihoue (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd and effort before 2 out, soon challenged, ridden to lead between last 2, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jun beating Alcala (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cut The Corner (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, soon led, jumped big next, 4 lengths clear when mistake last, ridden out when pressed flat, kept on towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun beating Wadswick Court (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Viconte Du Noyer (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked front pair, left 2nd at 9th, led 11th, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Bagad Bihoue (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Shantou Village (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-1) Held up in touch, outpaced in 4th 2 out, ridden after last, plugged on same pace, never able to challenge, 4th of 6, 18 3/4l behind Hammersly Lake (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Wadswick Court (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 6th, 4th when blundered and unseated rider 9th, at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Brian Boranha (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway from 15th, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, stayed on, won at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gd in May beating Ballyboker Breeze (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Seefood (IRE) 8-1jfav (10-4) Mid-division, tracked leaders 5th, mistake and lost place 10th (bechers), mid-division when fell 15th, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on outside before 4 out, led before next, edged right 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gf in Jun beating Ballyvic Boru (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Monsieur Gibraltar (FR) 11-8fav (11-13) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway on inside 10th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before last, 7th of 11, dist behind Owen Glendower (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f (3) gd in Jun.
More Buck's (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-3) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 6th, headway on outside 13th, led 3 out, still pressed when left well clear 2 out, won at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Pickamix (11-12) by 21l, 7 ran.
Not A Role Model (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 7th, led after 4 out, went right 3 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Lets Go Dutchess (11-8) by 8l, 7 ran.
Too Many Diamonds (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 4th, mistake 12th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led when pecked 2 out, soon clear, reduced lead flat, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Copper West (11-6) by 1l, 7 ran.
