in touch, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from 2 out, never reached leaders
towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 11th, upsides 3 out, ridden before next, kept on and every chance last, held towards finish
mid-divison, headway 10th, went 3rd next, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression with front pair
led to 8th, tracked winner, lost place 11th, behind from next, tailed off 3 out
mid-division, towards rear 9th, struggling 11th, no danger after, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along from 10th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, hit 3rd, mistake and unseated rider 5th
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next
behind, headway 12th, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, soon outpaced, never on terms
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, weakened from next
tracked leader, led 8th, made rest, joined 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well towards finish
A cracking renewal of this Listed chase though the bottom four are all carrying more than their allotted weight including recent hurdles winner Standing Ovation, whose trainer has won this twice in the last seven years. Paul Nicholls has an ordinary record in the contest but has three running this year and all have decent claims. Valco De Touzaine was third in a similar handicap at Market Rasen last month when Lost Legend was behind and Perfect Timing was pulled up but Dormello Mo looks the most progressive of the trio. Claret Cloak has a touch of class and Strongly Suggested couldn't be in better form while there is more to come from Gold Futures in handicaps and he's travelled a long way for this. RAAJIH can be a bit hit-and-miss but finished close-up off a higher mark at Aintree in the spring and seems to go well fresh. He could go well at a price with Daryl Jacob doing the steering in a race that throws up its fair share of upsets.
Claret Cloak (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 12th of 15, dist behind Roman Flight (11-4) at Stratford 2m hcp (2) gd in May.
Dormello Mo (FR) 9-4fav (12-1) Chased leaders, led before 8th, not fluent 3 out, headed approaching next, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Dubai Prince (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway when mistake 7th, blundered 3 out, 3rd last, no impression on winner, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Brave Spartacus (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Gold Futures (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, driven clear flat, won at Bangor 3m hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Strumble Head (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Raajih 12-1 (11-11) Took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 4th, lost place 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Ustica (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in May.
Lost Legend (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, closed 3rd, carried left when close up 10th, mistake last, weakened flat, 7th of 14, 17 3/4l behind Brave Spartacus (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Vesperal Dream (FR) 7-2fav (11-8) Tracked leaders on outside, slightly outpaced 3 out, rallied last, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Russian Regent (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Strongly Suggested 2-1fav (10-11) Held up, headway 6th, challenged 3 out, led before next, clear last, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul beating My Brother Sylvest (11-10) by 7l, 7 ran.
Midnight Appeal 11-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 4 out, 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 5th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Gold Futures (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Workbench (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, headway from 4 out, 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner, 3rd of 13, 7 1/2l behind Chebsey Beau (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Perfect Timing 8-1 (10-5) Towards rear, behind 8th, pulled up before 4 out, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Standing Ovation (IRE) 9-4 (10-13) With leader led 2nd, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, eased towards finish, very easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 7f (4) gd in Aug beating Mrs Jordan (10-6) by 13l, 5 ran.
