always towards rear, weakened from 5th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened going to 2 out
chased leaders, reminders after 4th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat
held up mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, led last, ridden out
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 5th, tailed off
held up in rear, weakened from 5th, tailed off
tracked leader, weakened after 3 out
led, ridden and headed and approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
BATTLE GROUP comes with a warning after his Uttoxeter antics but he has the talent to win again, at the main expense of Wilbury Star and Watergate. David Pipe's gelding was chasing a hat-trick last time but refused to race. His earlier form when winning at Stratford and over course and distance (holds Stumped on that running) makes him a major player and on ground that suits he should go close. Forest Rhythm drops in trip and is respected despite a fairly costly reversal at Fontwell last time, Wilbury Star did well to overcome Erdeli here last month and this decent flat performer looks to have a good future over hurdles, whilst Watergate has been a beaten favourite on three of his five starts over hurdles and the four-year-old now has a little to prove. Boogie Dancer should relish the drop in trip today, Bazart is ok on his day and is not discounted in first-time blinkers, whilst Medicinal has top-weight to defy but on his chasing rating he still looks fairly-treated. The market may help punters in this finale but the vote foes to Battle Group.
Medicinal (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 12, 25l behind Ajman (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Battle Group 2-1 (11-12) Refused to race, took no part, in a race won by Russian George (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
Forest Rhythm (IRE) 13-8 (11-0) Held up towards rear, chased leaders after 4 out, went 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Quo Video (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Wilbury Star (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Always prominent, led 5th, ridden after 2 out, driven flat, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun beating Erdeli (11-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Dream Catcher (SWE) 20-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, raced wide on bend before 2 out, ridden and soon weakened, 10th of 11, 42l behind Stumped (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Boogie Dancer 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, no impression 3 out, hampered 2 out, 6th of 11, 35l behind Entertain Me (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Watergate (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Held up in touch, took keen hold, driven after 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 10, 18l behind Wheelavit (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Colour Trooper (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, lost ground on leaders 4th, mistake 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Atlantic Coast (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Bazart 8-1 (10-3) Chased leading trio, outpaced before 3rd, soon behind and struggling straight, 6th of 8, 29l behind Ajman (10-3) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 40-1 (9-12) With leader, led from 1st, headed after 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 12, 25l behind Ajman (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
