mid-division, closed 7th, went 2nd next, led after 4 out, blundered 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression towards finish
jumped left at times, held up in rear, not fluent 4th or 5th, headway 4 out, 3rd next, stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear, headway 8th, challenged 3 out, led next, stayed on well, clear towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, hampered 2nd and 3rd, lost place 4th, slow 7th, well beaten after 4 out
led, clear from 4th, mistakes 5th and 8th, hit 4 out, soon headed, weakened before next
held up towards rear, ridden and behind from 4 out
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, outpaced 9th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, closed 3rd, hit 7th, jumped left 4th, one pace 2 out
jumped right at times, chased leader, lost place after 8th, pulled up before next
held up in rear, mistake 4th, jumped big next, weakened after 4 out
Valco De Touzaine was third in a similar contest over track and trip in July before finishing ahead of Gold Futures and Claret Cloak when second at Newton Abbot, though has been raised a further 3lb since. Oscar Rock may well have completed a hat-trick in a Grade 2 at Ayr in April had he not fallen and has plenty of ability. Cloud Creeper did well last season and may be capable of further improvement in the months ahead while Gray Hession had Owen Na View well behind when winning at Southwell last month and is another with scope. EDGARDO SOL was second in a Grade 2 at Aintree around this time last year and comes to hand early. He hasn't won since 2012 but has dropped to a very attractive mark as a result and would be a threat to all if at the top of his game. Conquisto is another looking well treated nowadays, though he's looked out of sorts lately.
Claret Cloak (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In touch, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from 2 out, never reached leaders, 4th of 12, 11l behind Standing Ovation (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Aug.
Cloud Creeper (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up, headway 11th, went 2nd 4 out, jumped left next, soon ridden, no impression on winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Big Casino (10-0) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in May.
Oscar Rock (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) In rear, headway after 4 out, a close 3rd when hampered and fell 3 out, at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Edgardo Sol (FR) 7-1 (11-0) In rear, headway before 6 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Duke Of Lucca (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 11th, upsides 3 out, ridden before next, kept on and every chance last, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Standing Ovation (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Aug.
Wiesentraum (GER) 66-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Gray Hession (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, hedaway chasing leaders 4 out, 2nd next, ridden to challenge approaching last, stayed on to lead close home, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gf in Aug beating Alderbrook Lad (11-12) by nk, 11 ran.
Gold Futures (IRE) 9-2fav (10-9) Mid-divison, headway 10th, went 3rd next, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Standing Ovation (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Aug.
Conquisto 11-4fav (11-12) Led 2nd until 7th, prominent, driven 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Kie (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Owen Na View (IRE) 11-4fav (12-2) Made most, headed after 5 out, with leading pair on outside when unseated rider next, at Worcester 2m (4) gs in Aug.
