mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure approaching next, weakened last
fell 1st
behind, headway 3 out, led and hung right before next, soon headed, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2 out
hampered 1st, always behind
led, hit 3 out, headed before next, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, tracked leader, blundered 3rd, outpaced when hampered before 2 out, no extra approaching last
raced keenly, held up, headway on inside after 3 out, led next, ridden and kept on well flat
mid-division on inside, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
City Affair can complete a four-timer at the expense of Storm Of Applause, Rebel Raider and Vintage Gold. City Affair has risen to the top of the handicap on the strength of some useful efforts of late, including when beating Harcourt at Fontwell last month. Richard Johnson has been in the plate during his run of success, but he is now claimed for Storm Of Applause, so Tom Scudamore takes over, and the pair can come out on top. Storm Of Applause battled hard to score at Newton Abbot and needs to find a bit more to beat the selection, while Rebel Raider might need a stiffer test judged on his Towcester victory. Vintage Gold is difficult to weigh up back over hurdles, but the drop back in trip should not bother him, and he is another to consider for a place at least. Any support for Scutch Mill should be noted, but we return to City Affair as the answer.
Rebel Raider (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leading pair, went 2nd approaching 4th, mistake 3 out, led between last 2, stayed on well to draw clear from last, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr beating Another Burden (10-11) by 6l, 9 ran.
Vintage Gold (USA) 6-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 9th, mistake 4 out, chased winner, not fluent 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Borora (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf.
Muntami (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) In rear, headway 4th, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 8, 17l behind Mind How You Go (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jun.
General Smith 11-2 (11-3) Held up and keen, headway 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Muntami (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) In touch, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied to dispute lead last, led close home, won at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Play Master (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Scutch Mill (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Keen early, held up behind, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden and stayed on to lead flat, held on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul beating Go Figure (10-12) by a hd, 13 ran.
Grey Samurai 85-40fav (10-11) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec beating Tanners Court (11-3) by 4l, 14 ran.
City Affair 5-2 (12-3) Held up, mistake 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, headway and chased leader 2 out, hard ridden last, battled on gamely to lead close home, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug beating Harcourt (11-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
