jumped well, took keen hold tracking leader, led 8th, clear when went left from 3 out, driven and tiring flat, always holding on
held up last, went 4th before 13th, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, soon tailed off, tired and mistake last
tracked leading pair until 6th, lost place next, struggling 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up in 5th, hit 7th, went 3rd approaching 12th, plugged on same pace and no chance from 4 out
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd 6th, chased winner 11th (water), looked held 3 out, rallied as winner tired flat but always held
led, headed and reminders 8th, chased winner, not fluent 10th, lost 2nd next (water), lost 3rd approaching 12th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
Russian War has winning form on fast ground and has been competing in decent company. He came up against a well-handicapped rival at Aintree last time and should fare better here. But now is not the time to desert QUEL BALLISTIC, who has finally got his act together since being visored - a hat-trick beckons. Peachey Moment has ability but doesn't win very often nowadays and course and distance winner Wild Geese looks too high in the weights now. Both Dantes King and Quetzal will do well to get involved on these terms.
Dantes King (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Soon mid-division, hampered and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by House Rules (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs gd in May, 17 ran.
Russian War (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 13th, chased winner next, hit 4 out, well held before 2 out, 2nd of 7, 25l behind Gullible Gordon (10-13) at Aintree 3m 1f cnd hcp chs (0-135) (3) gs in Jun.
Wild Geese (IRE) 13-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, lost place 6th, mistake and weakened 14th, tailed off, 9th of 13, 29l behind Problema Tic (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) gf in Jun.
Peachey Moment (USA) 18-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, stayed on well flat, never going pace to reached leaders, 5th of 13, 18l behind Problema Tic (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) gf in Jun.
Quel Ballistic 13-8fav (10-12) Led until mistake 1st, led 3rd, headed 8th, led 9th, mistake 10th, ridden after 5 out, headed 3 out, bumped next, led last, driven and stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun beating Handsome Buddy (10-4) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Quetzal (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Led until before 3 out, no extra last, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Cardigan Island (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
