tracked leaders, lost place after 13th, behind 15th, tailed off
prominent, not fluent 9th or when hampered 11th, lost place approaching 14th, behind next, tailed off
tracked leaders, slightly hampered 11th, chased winner 15th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, no impression
led, jumped slowly 1st, headed 3rd, led 5th, headed 7th, stayed prominent, one pace from 3 out
prominent, led 3rd until 5th, led 7th, clear after 4 out, hit last, comfortably
in rear, 8th and ridden after 14th, stayed on approaching 2 out, never nearer
always towards rear, tailed off
tracked leaders on outside, ridden 12th, lost place after 13th, behind 15th, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 13th, ridden after 16th, well beaten before 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 12th, ridden 16th, weakened 4 out, pulled up after
held up in rear, headway after 13th, ridden after 16th, 5th and well held when hit 2 out
held up towards rear, headway when hit 12th, weakened approaching 14th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
held up towards rear on outside, ridden 7th, lost touch from 9th, pulled up after 13th
mid-division, not fluent 8th, headway approaching 14th, one pace in 4th from 3 out, mistake last
prominent, blundered and unseated rider 11th (water)
A cracking contest for the time of year and Cold Mountain bids to repeat his victory of 12 months ago. Seamus Mullins' charge will do well to beat in-form runner-up Cullahill on 9lb worse terms, however. Hat-trick seeker Quazy De Joie and Ethiopia, who has won three of his last four starts, are still at the right end of the handicap and should go well while Philip Hobbs' trio Templer, Estates Recovery and Chiaro all stay well. The latter is particularly well treated on his best form but has never encountered ground as fast as this before. Ripalong Lad has gone well fresh in the past and could be interesting if attracting market interest, but Earth Dream looks vulnerable under top weight and The Ferbane Man looks held by a couple of these on the form book. SHAMMY BUSKINS was only third to Estates Recovery at Stratford in May but is 6lb better off today and this faster going is also in his favour. Lawney Hill's stayer can have his revenge and return to winning ways here.
Earth Dream (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) In touch in rear, shaken up after 6th, driven 9th, behind next, hampered 11th, went 3rd flat, no chance, 3rd of 5, 43l behind Sir Ian (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Ripalong Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden 3 out, chased leading pair before next, soon on impression, kept on same pace, lost moderate 3rd flat, 4th of 12, 15l behind Ben's Folly (9-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
Templer (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on well flat, finished well, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Southwestern (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
Chiaro (FR) 12-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs; rdn 13; str run 2 out; just failed, 2nd of 9, hd behind Roll On Rose (11-7) at Umberleigh 3m ptp gs in Jun.
Estates Recovery (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) In touch, blundered 4th, mistake 7th, chased leading pair 15th, led 3 out, ridden before last, joined flat, stayed on gamely to assert close home, won at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Hemington (10-12) by nk, 10 ran.
Shammy Buskins 13-2 (11-10) Reluctant to line up and led in start, raced wide in touch, chased leader 15th, led 4 out until 3 out, outpaced 2 out, rallied flat to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Estates Recovery (10-11) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Always behind, ridden and struggling 11th, went right 14th, tailed off when pulled up before next, in a race won by Estates Recovery (10-11) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May, 10 ran.
Mister Apple's (FR) 14-1 (12-0) In touch, chased leaders 16th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, 24l behind Southwestern (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
Marleybow (IRE) 10-3fav (11-0) Held up in last, blundered 1st, not fluent next, mistake and reminders 9th, mistake 12th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Keenan's Future (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jun, 9 ran.
The Ferbane Man (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Held up in touch in last pair, not fluent 10th, mistakes 12th and next, headway after 15th, led after 4 out until after next, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Cullahill (10-8) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Troy Tempest (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Behind, staying on and in touch when brought down 15th, in a race won by Estates Recovery (10-11) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May, 10 ran.
Cullahill (IRE) 11-4fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on well from last to get up close home, won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun beating Quattrocento (11-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dennis The Legend 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent and pushed along 2nd, went 2nd after 6th until next, weakened from 11th, tailed off, 7th of 9, 47l behind Hoo La Baloo (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Quazy de Joie (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Pressed leader, led 10th, hit 15th, ridden and pressed bypassing ommited 3 out, in command before last, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 3m 2f 5yo nov hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Or Sing About (11-7) by 7l, 6 ran.
Ethiopia 3-1 (10-9) In touch, closer order 5th, went 2nd 8th, led after 3 out, strongly pressed from next, kept advantage until headed towards finish, rallied gamely close home, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Dennis The Legend (11-8) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
