chased leaders, went 2nd before 6th until not fluent 4 out, weakened next
raced keenly, jumped well, led from 3rd, ridden before 2 out, stayed on
led until 3rd, chased winner until 6th, ridden and went 2nd again 4 out, held before 2 out, not fluent last, kept on
chased leaders on inside, last when blundered badly and unseated rider 6th
NonRunner
Darling Maltaix has undergone wind surgery since last in action in October. He won a three-runner novices' handicap off a similar mark last year but PILBARA has the more recent form. A runner-up at Killarney last month, he’s switched to Suzy Smith’s yard subsequently and may prove the one to side with back in a handicap. Umndeni has been thereabouts over longer trips over timber and makes his chasing bow but Thistle Do Nicely has shown little since returning to action and Vision Des Flos continues to struggle.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 18-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, struggling after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Dell' Arca (10-10) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) sft in May.
Darling Maltaix (FR) 6-4fav (11-6) Keen pressed winner, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra run in, 5th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Locker Room Talk (11-12) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Pilbara 7-1 (11-6) Held up in touch early, slight mistake 1st, progress to lead 3rd, headed 9th, led again 4 out, strongly pressed next, mistake 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, no extra close home, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Cavalry Master (11-12) at Killarney 2m 7f Yielding in May.
Umndeni (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, joined 8th, led after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, ridden when pressed 2 out, rallied and every chance last, kept on gamely but held once headed final 110 yards, 3rd of 6, 11 1/2l behind Jarveys Plate (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Thistle Do Nicely (IRE) 10-3fav (11-10) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 4th, well beaten before 2 out, 7th of 11, 29 1/4l behind Fair Mountain (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in May.
