tracked leader, keen, hit 4th, lost place after 3 out
tracked leader, slow 1st, not fluent 5th, slow next, mistake when driven 3 out, weakened next, modest 4th
made all, drew clear 2 out, soon well in command, eased after last, impressive
chased leaders, effort 2 out, soon no impression and weakened, modest 3rd
held up in last, headway after 3 out, went 2nd approaching and mistake 2 out, staying on when not fluent last, no chance with easy winner
NonRunner
VOODOO DOLL has defied the handicapper twice since scoring at Bangor, both in higher grade, and is taken to do so again thanks to his useful turn of foot. He still receives weight from all bar one of his rivals and his level of improvement may have yet to plateau. Card Game has been hit with a 10lb rise for his Hexham success but his conditional will offset a large part of that impost and he remains one to take seriously, whilst Champagne City boasts a good strike rate over timber and is expected to contend despite a career-high mark. As a five-year-old, the latter retains scope for considerable improvement. High Secret ties in closely with the selection on recent running and has to be respected for the Skeltons, whilst recent scorer Mister Fizz and North Hill are not discounted either.
Card Game (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Soon chasing leaders, slightly hampered and left 2nd 5th, led 7th, clear after 2 out, dived at last, driven out, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Sweet Holly (10-10) by 26l, 6 ran.
Champagne City 14-1 (10-9) Chased leader until 2nd, chased leaders, 2nd again after 3 out, ridden to lead before next, soon clear, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jun beating Red Tornado (10-6) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
High Secret (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led approaching and mistake 2 out, soon headed, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Voodoo Doll (10-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Voodoo Doll (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on inside before omitted 3 out, led before omitted last, ran on well (6 hurdles omitted), won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Jul beating Equus Millar (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
North Hill (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-9) Mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Faint Hope (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Mister Fizz 3-1 (12-5) Held up in rear but in touch, progress to chase leaders 5th, 2nd 3 out, soon every chance, led before last, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Angel of Harlem (11-3) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
