held up towards rear, stayed on approaching 2 out, never going pace to get competiitive
always towards rear, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders until ridden and lost place after 8th, last and tailed off 3 out
made all, ridden clear after 4 out, stayed on well, unchallenged
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
in touch, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace and struggling from next
took keen hold early, chased winner until approaching 4 out and again after 3 out, kept on flat, never able to challenge
always behind, driven along before 4 out, struggling after, eased before 2 out, tailed off
close up, chased winner before 4 out until after 3 out, no impression next
held up last, some headway 4 out, never on terms
Mac Halen won when he last tried this trip here but this opposition is tougher although he remains in calculations as he tends to jump well. Roger Curtis has struggled with his runners here in recent seasons and although Dunkelly Castle showed promise pointing in Ireland in the early part of his career he needs to improve to contend in this race. Lawney Hill has her runners in really fine shape at the moment and BALLADEER gets the vote to build upon a 25/1 second at Uttoxeter when just losing out in the latter stages.
Is It Me (USA) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, joined leader 4th, pushed along 6th, ridden approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Le Corvee (10-8) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jul.
Mac Halen (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, 27l behind House Of Bourbon (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Balladeer (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, led 3 out, hit next, headed and slightly hampered last, one pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Ripalong Lad (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
What A Scientist (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Headway when jumped slowly 2nd, soon lost place, not fluent and reminders 4th, not fluent 9th, well beaten 3 out, 5th of 11, 27l behind Thenameescapesme (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
Casual Garcia 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway and in touch 7th, led 3 out to next, soon ridden, one pace approaching last, no impression flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Lyster (10-11) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Vacario (GER) 40-1 (11-9) Soon behind, mistake 3rd, reminders after next, no danger after, 5th of 10, 30l behind Rock Me (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Dunkelly Castle (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Chased leader until 6th, driven along in 3rd after 3 out, rallied before last, stayed on to well held 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Extreme Conviction (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Jul.
Strikemaster (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Behind, pushed along from 6th, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 50l behind Humbie (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, hampered next, reminder after 9th, behind 12th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Alfadora (10-2) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Orion Express 8-1 (9-9) Held up, headway to chase leaders 7th, ridden next, weakened soon after, 6th of 9, 28l behind To Arms (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Party Palace 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, reminder after 5th, switched outside next, ridden 3 out, chased leading pair approaching next, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Rock Me (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
