mid-division, smooth headway and every chance 2 out, ridden and led approaching last, driven out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakening when fell 10th
mid-division, ridden 11th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
always towards rear
tracked leaders, led 4 out, soon ridden, challenged 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat
led, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened next
behind, lost place 8th, hampered 10th, soon pulled up
Nonrunner
Karo De Vindecy is a speculative selection ahead of Love That Benny and Lofty Leader. The last named is a standing dish at Perth and, having won here twice, has nothing to fear from the track. However, two and a half miles does stretch his stamina and he comes here with a little to prove. Love That Benny is on a roll just now and has to be respected. He does looked weighted to his limit, though. Which leaves him vulnerable from top weight. Therefore, it can pay to side with Karo De Vindecy, who has also found his form of late. Graham Lee gets on very well with Micky Hammond's gelding and, as he has the proven stamina for this test, this consistent nine-year-old is fancied to rise to the challenge this afternoon.
Love That Benny (USA) 4-5fav (11-7) Held up, went 2nd approaching 5th, led after 4 out, soon clear, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jul beating Admiral Peary (11-7) by 30l, 4 ran.
Sybellius D'artaix (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, soon behind, 9th of 13, 24l behind Square Mile (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul.
Moonlit Harbour 22-1 (11-9) Behind, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 27l behind Double Deputy (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Cantgeton (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up, pushed along approaching 7th, never on terms, 5th of 7, 27l behind Crathorne (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs in Jul.
Jefertiti (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 10, 8l behind Colliers Court (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jul.
Lofty Leader (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Held up in touch, ridden and effort 4 out, outpaced from next, 4th of 6, 17l behind Lutea (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jul.
Karo de Vindecy (FR) 7-2fav (10-1) Led, headed 4 out, tracked leader, led again after 2 out, drew clear approaching last, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May beating Thedublinpublican (11-0) by 11l, 13 ran.
Ben Britten 11-4jt-fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead approaching 4 out, kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating World Vision (11-9) by 2l, 8 ran.
