took keen hold early, soon led, headed 4th, chased leading pair, went 2nd 7th until next, lost 3rd 4 out, soon weakened
led in start, chased leading trio, went 3rd 7th, 2nd next, led and went right 9th, joined 2 out, ridden and headed before mistake last, eased when well held flat
off the pace in 6th, not on terms and struggling when mistake 9th, pulled up before next
chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th, led 7th, blundered and headed 9th, rallied approaching 2 out, led before last, came clear flat
off the pace in 5th, left in 4th place after 7th, went 3rd 10th, stepped at next (water), no impression
in rear, mistake 4th, not on terms when ridden and struggling before 7th, tailed off
led, reluctant driven along and soon headed, chased leaders, led 4th, mistake and headed 7th, pulled up quickly before next
The market may be the best guide to the chances of Arumun, Turbo Shandy, Be Ashored and Red Law who have all been off the track for a while. Tuscany Star has had 37 career starts and is still seeking a first win, while Ours was last at Chepstow on Monday off this mark. The handicapper also appears to have a grip on Whatshallwedo so KNAPP BRIDGE BOY gets the vote by default. He's almost guaranteed to run his race and it may be significant that his only previous win under Rules came over C&D last summer.
Arumun (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, jumped big 3rd, headed 7th, tracked leader, lost place 4 out, ridden and outpaced after next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 46l behind Won More Night (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Turbo Shandy 8-1 (10-12) Held up, closed 4th, nudged along 4 out, weakened next, last of 5, 32l behind Mister Matt (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Be Ashored 12-1 (11-3) Held up, headway on inside 8th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 27l behind Olympian Boy (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Knapp Bridge Boy 7-2 (10-4) Held up in rear, headway 5th, chased leader 7th, not fluent 9th, led just after 3 out, strongly challenged last, headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Maizy Missile (10-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Whatshallwedo 11-8fav (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, mistake 9th, every chance 3 out, soon dropped to 3rd, weakened soon after 2 out, 4th of 5, 16l behind Cypress Grove (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Red Law (IRE) 5-2fav (9-13) Led until slow and headed 1st, chased leader, led 3rd, clear from 8th, hit last, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar '11 beating Mad Professor (9-7) by 7l, 5 ran.
Tuscany Star (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led, mistake and reminders 3rd, headed after 3 out, led again before 2 out, soon headed, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Dream Performance (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Ours (FR) 9-4 (10-3) Chased leaders, outpaced before 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Take Of Shoc's (11-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.