tracked leaders, jumped left 6th, not fluent 7th or 12th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
led 2nd, ridden and pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, held flat
tracked leaders, hit 3rd, went 2nd 10th until not fluent 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
led until 2nd, tracked leader until mistake 10th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well
Bermuda Boy has been a shade disappointing in his two runs so far over fences. This longer trip could suit but we still prefer BENBANE HEAD, who created a very favourable impression when beating Organisateur over C&D in May and has the potential to go on the better things. Persian Run has had plenty of chances, while Zhukov is thoroughly exposed as a chaser nowadays and looked ready for a rest when tailed off in a handicap at Stratford last month. Gan On won easily at Uttoxeter but this looks tougher.
Zhukov (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, blundered 4th, jumped slow next and soon lost place and behind, reminders 7th, struggling when blundered badly 10th, soon tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Majy D'Auteuil (11-5) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Benbane Head (USA) 2-1 (11-0) Made all, not always fluent and sometimes jumped right, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chase (5) gf in May beating Organisateur (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bermuda Boy (FR) 6-5fav (11-8) In rear, in touch in 4th, mistake and went 2nd 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Two Kisses (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gf in Jul.
Persian Run (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leader until 7th, last and ridden after next, behind 10th, hit 2 out, stayed on approaching last, closing on 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Numen (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Gan On 11-4fav (10-11) Held up, pecked 8th, soon took closed order, went 2nd 11th, led 4 out, clear after 2 out, ran on well, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Jul beating Definite Dawn (11-9) by 21l, 5 ran.