chased (clear) leader, hit 3rd, mistake next, ridden and lost 2nd home turn, weakened approaching 2 out
raced keenly and waited with in last trio, closer before 4 out, 4th when hit 3 out, plugged on from the last
waited with in rear, good headway tracking leaders after 3 out, went left 2 out, went 2nd and hit the last, no chance with winner
jumped left, led and set decent pace, dived at 4 out, headed before the last where lost 2nd, weakened run-in, just held on for 3rd
close 3rd on inside until before 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in 4th place, closer in 3rd before 4 out, switched right travelling well in 2nd between last two, led before the last, quickened readily clear run-in
off the pace in last trio, never on terms
Thahab Ifraj has become expensive to follow and has not won in six previous visits here. Al Muffrih should have benefited from his fourth at Uttoxeter while Karannelle has been knocking on the door. She finished ahead of ROOTLESS TREE (NAP) at Worcester in May but that was the latter’s first run since December and he travelled very strongly until a lack of condition told. Christian Williams’ charge looks very well handicapped nowadays. Windy Cove has been going well over hurdles and on the Flat while Sergeant must have every chance if fully wound-up after a break.
Thahab Ifraj (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Close 3rd on inside, driven along and one pace in 3rd before the last, closed on 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Glimpse Of Gold (12-0) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Sergeant (FR) 6-4fav (11-10) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway when hit 2 out, mistake last, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8 1/2l behind Rock On Tommy (10-12) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Al Muffrih (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Not always fluent, held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 4th before last, never on terms, 4th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Leopolds Rock (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Windy Cove 4-1 (9-9) Mid-division, pushed along and headway 3f out, led narrowly over 2f out, soon ridden, headed 110 yards out, kept on but no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Hellavaheart (8-9) at Chepstow 1m 4f stks (6) gd in Jun.
Rootless Tree (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Prominent, every chance after 3 out, shaken up next, soon lost place, 9th of 13, 15l behind Red Maple (11-1) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
Karannelle (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) In rear, rapid headway before 2 out, led narrowly last, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Ince (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Secret Secret (IRE) 28-1 (8-9) Prominent early, mid-division halfway, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 13, 29 1/2l behind Infiniti (9-0) at Chepstow 2m hcp (6) gd in Jun.
