mid-division, ridden 9th, weakened next
prominent, led after 4 out, ridden 3 out, clear when blundered last, kept on flat
led to 2nd, led 5th, ridden and headed after 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden and headway after 4 out, weakened next, tired when fell last
chased leader, led 2nd, not fluent and headed 5th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
always towards rear, no impression
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace 2 out
Star of Germany has had a busy and relatively successful season but there is every indication judged by his latest effort at Market Rasen last time that David Pipe's gelding may now be a shade high in the weights, while Spiritual Society keeps finding one too good and may do so again here in Yellow Flag. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has done everything asked of him of late, winning races at Stratford, Southwell and Bangor, and he is taken to defy a hefty 12lb rise for the latest of those successes and win again. Wild Power faces no easy task from 8lbs out of the weights proper, while at the other end of the handicap Et Maintenant has struggled off his new mark since winning at Exeter in May. Spiritual Society would not be winning out of turn were he to be successful and he has to be respected off what seems a fair mark but preference is for the in-form Yellow Flag.
Et Maintenant (FR) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Apollo Creed (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Star of Germany (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 44l behind Kirby's Vic (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Cheeky Lad 10-3 (11-10) Held up in touch, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, 39l behind Country Escape (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Yellow Flag 8-15fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, led 2 out, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jul beating Norborne Bandit (11-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Rooster's Reunion (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) In rear, some headway 7th, soon no impression, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Laoch Dubh (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Spiritual Society (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Led, soon clear, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Humid Climate (10-1) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Smoke Trail (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4out, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Genghis (11-5) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Blandings Castle 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden when weakening 3 out, 11th of 12, 31l behind Haunted House (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Wild Power (GER) 11-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 10, 37l behind Star of Germany (11-13) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Kova Hall (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mainly towards rear and pulled up 5 out in race won by Star of Germany (11-13) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
