led from 2nd, ridden before 2 out, soon pressed, kept on gamely, just held on
tracked leaders, went 3rd from 3 out, challenged from 2 out, every run-in, just held close home
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out
in rear, headway 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, soon every chance, soon one pace
led and keen, headed 2nd, hung right and raced wide and lost place before 5th, soon in rear
held up in touch, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, with leader 4th, weakened after 3 out
A tricky opener given Itsamysterytome was sent off favourite at Stratford a week ago but was passed in the closing stages by eventual runner-up SCHOOLBOY ERROR and third-placed Invocation. That trio are hard to separate but Jamie Osborne’s charge is taken to come out best once again with Richard Johnson taking over the reins. Stone Quercus has been well beaten despite finishing third on his last couple of outings over timber and it remains to be seen how Hygrove Percy copes on his hurdling debut.
Hygrove Percy 25-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, towards rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out, never involved, 9th of 14, 9l behind Quebee (9-6) at Windsor 1m hcp (5) gf in May.
Invocation (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headawy chasing leaders approaching 5th, pushed along in 3rd after 2 out, ridden in well held 2nd before last until last, 3rd and one pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Jazzy (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Marmont Winker Watson gelding out of Five Bells.
Schoolboy Error (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, disputing 2nd after 2 out, ridden before last, lost 2nd briefly approaching last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Jazzy (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Stone Quercus (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led, clear 2nd, reduced lead 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, lost 2nd run in, 3rd of 8, 11 3/4l behind Milrow (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Jun.
Itsamysterytome 5-2fav (10-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, headway chasing leaders approaching 5th, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 4th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Jazzy (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Little Lotte (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Jun.