held up towards rear, blundered badly 1st, took closer order after 3rd, driven and weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up in touch, one pace when hit 2 out, soon hung left, no real impression after
took keen hold in rear, effort on outside after 5th, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
took keen hold, tracked winner until 3rd, mistake 2 out, stayed on flat
held up, effort 2 out, no impression on leaders when jumped left last
always prominent, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no extra final 150 yards
made all, shaken up 2 out, ran on well flat
chased leaders until approaching 3rd, behind from 5th
held up, headway after 3 out, stayed on well to go 2nd flat, not trouble winner
Nonrunner
Phar Bleu gets the vote over Genghis in the finale with Flying Enterprise, Dusky Warbler and Cherub forwarded as live dangers amongst the rest. Cherub has never really fulfilled his potential but is much better than his recent profile would suggest. This flat surface is expected to suit him and, as he has responded well for the Tony McCoy treatment in the past, he could be good value to make the frame. Similar comments apply to Dusky Warbler, who holds Manorson on his Novice season from. However, a long absence is the worry with him and he may just need this to put him straight. Flying Enterprise won well at Haydock earlier in the month and should handle the conditions. However, this is a much tougher race and he needs to find a bit more to score in this company. A bigger threat is posed by Genghis, who showed plenty of promise last term. However, he does have a penalty to contend with and needs to be at the very top of his game. Therefore, it may be worth chancing Phar Bleu, who has done very little wrong of late. His third to Lingo bodes well for the up and coming campaign and this progressive four-year-old is taken to be a touch too sharp for the rest today.
It's Just Harry 6-1 (11-7) In touch, headway 6th, ridden and outpaced 2 out, stayed on from 2 out to chase winner flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Marcel (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Jan.
Phar Bleu (FR) 8-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, took narrow lead 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 19, 5l behind Lingo (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs.
Dusky Warbler 15-8fav (11-0) Held up, headway 4th, led and hit 3 out, ridden and headed next, every chance last, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Mighty Man (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr.
Flying Enterprise (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 5th, ridden clear flat, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs beating Calatagan (11-9) by 7l, 12 ran.
Only Vintage (USA) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 7th, not fluent 8th, soon outpaced, 5th of 9, 44l behind Turpin Green (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Cherub (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, every chance 2 out, no impression on leaders approaching last, 5th of 23, 12l behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs.
Afrad (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, hit 6, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 15, 7l behind Darrias (10-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in May.
Manorson (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Led, mistake 3rd, headed soon after 2 out, weakened and hit last, 5th of 7, 15l behind Verasi (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs.
Migwell (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leader until ridden and weakened quickly approaching 2 out, last of 7, well behind Verasi (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs.
Dom d'Orgeval (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 3 out, every chance approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 23, 8l behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs.
Genghis (IRE) 7-4jt-fav (11-8) Led and mistakes, ridden and headed 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Rooster Booster (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hdl (B) gf in Oct.