mid-division, not fluent 10th, headway 14th, kept on from 3 out
tracked leader, led before 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, switched left last 50 yards, rallied and led close home
held up behind, pushed along before 12th, headway before 13th, weakened from 4 out
rear division, pushed along 12th, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, weakened before 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened
led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd, reminders before 14th, one pace in 5th from 3 out, no impression
behind, mistake 12th, plugged on from 4 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, headway 11th, challenged 2 out, ridden after last, led run-in, kept on and headed close home
NonRunner
be confidently dismissed. Volnay De Thaix has class on his side as he journeys from Lambourn but has yet to scale anticipated heights over fences and it will demand a major effort to land this prize off top weight. Roc D'apsis looks attractively treated towards the foot of the handicap, is consistent and his yard do well here. He landed a decent chase at Kempton in early May and should prove competitive. Lord Ballim has been a massive improver this year but he steps up in both trip and grade now and may find one or two too good. Upswing is not the most straightforward but is a very decent chaser on his day and can not be ignored but LOOKING WELL is the choice. He remains open to progress over fences but needs to be forgiven his latest effort, which was lacklustre. However, he had previously chased home Ziga Boy in the Skybet Chase at Doncaster and a repeat of that level would see him in the firing-line.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, short of room after 4 out, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 20 1/4l behind Mia's Storm (10-2) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Beeves (IRE) 7-1 (11-13) Led to 3rd, remained prominent, led again 4 out, ridden after next, hard pressed flat, held on near finish, won at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Cultram Abbey (11-11) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Upswing (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 11th, headway from 14th, not much room briefly after 2 out, led last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Belmount (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cultram Abbey 17-2 (11-11) Mid-division, mistake 9th, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden and outpaced after next, rallied after last, ran on and closing on winner near finish, just held, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Beeves (11-13) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Ballykan 9-4 (11-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch 13th, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no extra in 4th after last, 4th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Beeves (11-13) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Rightdownthemiddle (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Towards rear, fell 3rd, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Looking Well (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) In rear, pushed along after 12th, struggling next, well behind from 15th, 6th of 7, dist behind Definitly Red (11-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Valadom (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, mistake and unseated rider 4th, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Roc D'Apsis (FR) 7-2jfav (11-5) Led narrowly to 3rd, remained prominent, challenged on outside 3 out, soon ridden, lead narrowly approaching last, kept on well, won at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gd in May beating Al Alfa (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Lord Ballim (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Held up in rear, blundered 1st, blundered 3rd, headway 5 out to chase leaders, led 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating The Fresh Prince (10-10) by 5l, 7 ran.
Aerlite Supreme (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led last, ridden clear flat, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May beating Garrahalish (11-8) by 3l, 6 ran.
Yes Tom (IRE) 50-1 (9-10) Soon towards rear, not fluent 1st and reminder early, detached 8th, pulled up before 5 out, at Galway 2m 7f hcp (1) Yielding in Jul.
