held up, headway after 6th, ridden and every chance when pecked 2 out, one pace after
mid-division, headway 5th, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on flat
led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up behind, brief effort 3 out
chased leaders, led after 6th, headed and pecked next, weakened after 3 out
in touch until weakened approaching 7th
held up, headway approaching 7th, led 2 out, mistake last, ridden out
in touch until weakened approaching 7th
saddle soon slipped, led 2nd, headed and ran wide on bend after 6th, soon pulled up
Nonrunner
Darab is the pick over the likes of Barfleur, Outside Investor and Coltscroft, with Zuleta and Zilla not entirely out of things. Darab absolutely bolted up at Southwell eight days ago turning the race into a procession from the home turn to win easing down by fully 21 lengths. That was on his first run back with Tom George, and even with a penalty it is hard to oppose the gelding who has obviously quickly settled back in at the Gloucestershire stable. Barfleur has plenty of scope still, as this will be only the six-year-old's fourth ever outing over timber. The mare came good at Uttoxeter last month when skating over the fast ground over this sort of trip and she should go well on her first try in handicap company. Outside Investor caught the eye on his return from a seven-month absence when runner-up at Fontwell, and although this is a better race, he too will go well on the ground. Coltscroft did not beat much at Worcester, and this future chaser may need it easier underfoot, while Zuleta and Zilla have to race from out of the weights but should at least make their presence felt. If Darab puts in the same performance as last time though, he has them all beat.
Barfleur (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, led 9th, clear when hit last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Oscar D'hyrome (10-5) by 2l, 12 ran.
Outside Investor (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Prominent, blundered 7th, ridden and chased winner 3 out, hung left, kept on from last, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Allaboveboard (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in May.
Coltscroft 5-2fav (11-2) Held up and keen, driven 6th, headway to join leaders 3 out, led 2 out, edged left approaching last, all out and edged right flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in May beating Presenter (11-2) by 11l, 11 ran.
Darab (POL) 12-1 (10-13) Chased leader, led 7th, clear approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd beating Jackie Boy (10-7) by 21l, 14 ran.
Friendly Request 33-1 (10-7) Always in rear, pulled up before 7th pulled up at the 7th in race won by Lady of Scarvagh (11-12) at Worcester 3m mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in May, 15 ran.
Call Out (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, hung left and soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Grande Creole (10-9) at Exeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) frm in Apr.
Little Tobias (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Towards rear, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 23l behind Hail The King (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Zuleta 66-1 (10-10) Led to 4th, weakened after 6th, took poor 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Charmatic (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in May.
