tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden after 3 out, beaten 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
in rear, mistake 1st, never going or jumping fluently after, pulled up before 10th
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway 9th,challenged 3 out, led next, clear when not fluent last, pushed out
tracked leader, led 3 out, headed next, soon beaten, lost 2nd flat
held up towards rear, headway 4th, not fluent 8th, ridden after next, every chance 3 out, beaten when not fluent 2 out, one pace
towards rear, hit 5th, not fluent 4 out, stayed on after 3 out, no impression after next, weakened last
in touch, jumped slowly 3rd, lost place 8th, rallied when jumped slowly next, soon weakened, tailed off
led, not fluent 9th, headed and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Welsh trainers have really been firing in the winners this summer and permit holder Phil Dando can add to that tally with the help of ALROYAL, while both Now Listen To Me and Machu Picchu have form to their names and are worthy of respect. The Dando stable may only be small but the mare Bella Haze really put them on the map last season winning six times. Alroyal was a one time decent horse for Charlie Mann and has since been running between the flags and in hunter chases. He still has a lot to prove to live up to his stable mate but he caught the eye after finishing second over course and distance last time out. He is now five pounds higher in the weights as a result but if back to his best he has to go close. Now Listen To Me is still winless after nine starts. The form only looks moderate but he has to be respected coming from such a big yard. Machu Picchu had four starts for Jonjo O'Neill showing very little in the process. He has his first run for his new connections and the market will be the best guide to his chances. Alroyal may not be getting any younger but if anywhere near his best he should go very close.
Free Gift 16-1 (10-13) Led 2nd until 6th, soon led again, headed 7th, weakened after 11th, tailed off, 6th of 8, 44l behind Polyfast (11-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Tighe Caster 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 11th, ridden and rider dropped whip after 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 8l behind Grand Slam Hero (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
William Butler (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th, until bypassing ommited 4 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 6, 21l behind Grand Slam Hero (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
Now Listen To Me 5-2fav (11-4) Held up in mid-division, closed 5th, mistake 7th, hit 17th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Sir Bathwick (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Alroyal (GER) 10-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on from last, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Presentandcorrect (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Machu Picchu (FR) 5-2fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, went in touch from 5th, reminders after 4 out, disputing 2nd when mistake 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Chapel Flowers (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Tuscany Star (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Bumped 1st, chased leaders, lost place when not fluent 9th, hit 12th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Baren De Doc (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in May, 7 ran.
Mr Goofy (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Towards rear when blundered 6th (water), struggling 10th, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 17, well behind Shooters Wood (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) gd in May.
