tracked leader until 6 out, soon pushed along and in rear, pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened from 3 out
led and soon clear, not fluent 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, in 5th before 2 out, soon pushed along, weakened before last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, led 3 out, kept on well run-in
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, one pace from 2 out
held up mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on from last
held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, soon went 2nd and mistake 2 out, kept on and always held
Lava Lamp has won at least one race every year since 2010 and Evan Williams will be keen to maintain the sequence but it's hard to see him conceding the weight to MEXICAN BORDER at the opposite end of the handicap. Martin Hill's gelding cruised away from his field to oblige here earlier in the month and should prove a tough nut to crack under prevailing conditions with Jeremiah McGrath in the plate once again. Peruvien Bleu and Elysian Prince both retain scope for progression over timber and make the shortlist. Any market move for Easily Pleased under Richard Johnson, back over hurdles for the first time since mid-2014, should be noted as he is a stable companion of the selection.
Lava Lamp (GER) 11-4 (11-12) Led to 4th, led again 6th, headed before 5 out, pushed along next, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 4, 20 1/4l behind Perfect Summer (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
The Bay Bandit 6-1 (9-8) In touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 11th of 15, 11 1/4l behind Zephyros (9-13) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Easily Pleased (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up behind, took close order 6th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, 31 3/4l behind Fear Glic (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Elysian Prince 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, left modest 3rd between last two, went 2nd at the last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 12, 28l behind Bleu Et Noir (11-5) at Stratford 2m (4) gs in Jun.
Phantom Prince (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) In rear, struggling after 4 out, 16th of 19, dist behind Ereyna (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Peruvien Bleu (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd 2 out, stayed on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Courtlands Prince (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Frozen Over 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 14, 12 1/2l behind Stynes (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Hija 40-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, tailed off before 4 out, 10th of 14, dist behind Stynes (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Mexican Border (GER) 5-2fav (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, led before 2 out, hit 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Sandgate (11-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
