front mid-division, went 2nd 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and asserted run-in
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on, not pace to challenge
in rear, not fluent 4th, ridden before 2 out and no progress, never involved
led, pushed along before 2 out where headed and weakened
prominent, lost position after 4 out, tailed off 2 out
towards rear, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on until outpaced by winner run-in
THEMANINTHEBOOTS returned to form here when reverting to the smaller obstacles. He has to contend with a hike in the weights but there should be more to come over this longer trip. Petrastar ended a long losing run when left clear at the last over fences here last month and is only 3lb higher back over hurdles while Starlyte placed over track and trip last time and is preferred to Fabuleux Du Clos, who won at Newcastle back in March.
Themanintheboots (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway from after 7th, led 2 out, driven clear flat, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jun beating Minella Youngy (11-8) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Petrastar 10-3 (11-2) Jumped right at times, held up, went 2nd 4 out, not much room 3 out, switched left and challenged 2 out, left in clear lead last, won at Perth 3m hcp stks (4) gs in Jun beating Cardamon Hill (11-13) by 30l, 4 ran.
Motion In Limine (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, hampered 8th, headway 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, dist behind Velasco (10-8) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Fabuleux Du Clos (FR) 7-2fav (12-0) In rear, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden to challenge last, led run-in, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Mar beating Enemy At The Gate (11-5) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Starlyte (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-7) Prominent, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Mrs Paisley (11-0) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Colonel Manderson (FR) 22-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost ground and towards rear 6th, pulled up after 2 out, at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Dalileo (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, not fluent last, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Doune Castle (12-0) at Perth 3m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
