mid-division, hit 10th, hampered 13th, ridden and soon beaten
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead after 3 out, driven clear flat
always behind, reminders after 3rd, behind from 12th, pulled up before 14th
mid-division, lost place 10th, pulled up before 14th
tracked leaders until lost place 5th, pulled up before 8th
tracked leaders, hit 10th, soon lost place, pulled up before 12th
always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
mid-division, chased leaders and ridden approaching 4 out, every chance next, kept on one pace
led until headed 5th, ridden and weakening when fell 13th
prominent, led 5th, ridden 3 out, soon headed, hit next and soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and chased winners 3 out, gradually weakened from next
always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden 14th, weakening when blundered 3 out
always towards rear
always behind and pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
This is the feature event on the card, and King Barry is taken to follow up last year¿s success in this contest off only a one pound higher mark, at the expense of Classified and Bafana Boy, although this is in truth a wide open affair where most of the field can be given a chance of sorts. Classified has won an impressive twelve of his 21 races to date, and he comes here after a win at Cheltenham, where he travelled well for much of the contest. He has only been raised three pounds for that success but his ability to handle fast ground has to be taken on trust. Bafana Boy has only been beaten once in five attempts over fences, but this is by far the best race he has run in. His mark has gone up nine pounds for a game success here last time, and that may prove prohibitive. King Barry has not won over fences since taking this race last year, but underlined his well being with a fine win over hurdles at Kelso recently, overcoming a five month lay off. Following his win here last year, he was well beaten when raised in grade and consequently his mark has dropped to a winnable rating again. King Barry looks to have been laid out for the race and he can rule again.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 11-4fav (11-11) Chased leaders, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, rallied to lead flat, kept on, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May beating Scots Grey (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 19, 3l behind Abragante (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Classified (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Held up, smooth headway to track leader 16th, went 2nd 3 out, upsides next, led approaching last, idled flat, driven and held on, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr beating Ballyfoy (11-9) by a nk, 5 ran.
Possextown (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Led, headed after 6th, remained prominent, no extra from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Megaton (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (4) gf in May.
King Barry (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Led to 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on strongly to lead again flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) gf in May beating Mumbles Head (11-8) by 3l, 6 ran.
Matt The Thrasher (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Held up, headway 15th, went 3rd and pecked badly 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May beating Le Jaguar (11-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rare Society (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) In touch, led after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Silver Sedge (10-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Bafana Boy 4-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to go 2nd after 3 out, rallied flat to lead close home, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Trading Trouble (11-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
