mid-division, headway 7th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, easily
led 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden after 8th, plugged on from 3 out, went moderate 3rd last
held up, ridden after 8th, no impression
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, one pace from next
mainly towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders until weakened after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 6th, weakened 8th
led until jumped slowly 2nd, chased leaders, lost touch from 7th
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 8th, ridden after 3 out, kept on for clear 2nd, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A 7lb penalty should not be enough to prevent Star Of Germany following up his recent Fontwell success and he can defy top weight and see off the likes of Ground Breaker and Musical Gift. The selection has been kept to sellers over both hurdles and fences of late, and appreciated the fast ground when winning over 2m 2f at the Sussex track last week. The win looked impressive in context, and he is now back in handicap company, but he still looks up to winning this if reproducing that sort of effort. Ground Breaker finished seven lengths clear of Macreater when winning at Worcester last time and although he is worse off here he should still confirm those placings. However that was a very poor contest and the eight-year-old can be taken on here. Musical Gift was a shade unlucky to slip on a bend last time but had gone well enough in defeat at Wincanton prior to that and he appreciates fast ground so he can do better this time. C&d scorer Wild Power is very difficult to win with but has succeeded from higher marks in the past and loves quick conditions, while Popcorn Rosie has ground to suit though she does need to improve even to take this ordinary contest and Star Of Germany looks the one to be on.
Star of Germany (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf beating Vibe (11-6) by 17l, 7 ran.
Popcorn Rosie 9-1 (11-9) Prominent, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 14, 45l behind Craughwell Suas (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gf.
Femme D'avril (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, jumped right 3rd, lost place next, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 25l behind Ground Breaker (10-13) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Musical Gift 9-2 (10-5) Held up, stumbled and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Ede's (9-12) at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in May, 7 ran.
Wild Power (GER) 10-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 8, 16l behind Humid Climate (10-1) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Kova Hall (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, jumped right 4th, some headway approaching 3 out, soon hung left and weakened, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ground Breaker (10-13) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 12 ran.
Theseus (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 7th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Drumossie (10-3) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jul, 12 ran.
River Dante (IRE) 28-1 (10-2) Led until 2nd, led 5th until mistake 7th (water), ridden approaching 10th, weakened 11th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Mylo (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May, 9 ran.
Macreater 8-1 (10-2) Led until approaching 3rd, remained prominent, ridden after 7th, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Ground Breaker (10-13) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Past Heritage 8-1 (10-0) Prominent, ridden and chased winner 8th, blundered 4 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Jupon Vert (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in May.
Dad Says Heazle 25-1 (12-0) Prom to 4 out, 5th of 10, 8l behind Range Rover (12-0) at Upcott Cross 3m ptp gd in May.
Ground Breaker 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led after 7th, drew clear from 2 out, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Macreater (10-2) by 7l, 12 ran.
