tracked leader, hit 2nd, hit 3rd, led 9th, blundered and headed 3 out, challenged next, not fluent last, soon led, driven out
held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led, soon clear until headed 9th, ridden to regain lead 3 out, headed after last, kept on towards finish
held up in rear when fell 4th
Alan King's KING TROY sets a decent standard in this novices' chase following wins here, at Bangor and latterly at Newton Abbot with his only defeat coming when a creditable fourth in the valuable Summer Plate and he is hard to oppose with the main dangers looking to be Robert The Brave and Postmaster. The last mentioned has shown better form of late for Evan Williams having taken time to open his account over fences and he has to be respected but is held by the selection on running in the Summer Plate here in July. Ruff Diamond makes no appeal and of more interest may be Don McCain's Khachaturian, who was rated in the 130s over hurdles and now makes his debut over fences. He lacks any experience of the larger obstacles though and jumping ability has to be taken on trust. Robert The Brave has chasing experience and has run well, particularly when successful here last month but King Troy has the better form and he is hard to oppose.
King Troy (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd 9th, driven along after 3 out (water), challenged from next, upsides last, driven ahead near finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f noc chs (3) gf in Aug beating Just Amazing (11-10) by nk, 5 ran.
Postmaster 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, outpaced approaching 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Seven Is My Number (11-5) at Stratford 2m 4f noc chs (4) gf.
Robert The Brave 13-8fav (11-6) Led, jumped left, headed 12th, led again approaching 3 out, headed flat, one pace, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Red Admiral (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f noc chs (4) gf in Aug.
Khachaturian (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Led after 2nd, clear until 6th, headed after 7th, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 41l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Ruff Diamond (USA) 8-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, weakened from 10th, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Seven Is My Number (11-5) at Stratford 2m 4f noc chs (4) gf.