led, headed after 1st and stayed prominent, every chance 3 out, ridden from next, kept on until weakened flat
towards rear, smooth headway to chase leaders 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace until kept on flat to take 2nd close home
always towards rear
soon led, ridden approaching 2 out and hit 2 out and last, kept on well under pressure flat
held up, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace until weakened flat
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, soon ridden and weakened from next
in touch, hit 3rd, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from last
Compton Dragon gets the vote ahead of Prince Among Men, Lutea and South Bronx in the finale. Compton Dragon has a light enough weight today considering that his level of form is on a par with the rest of the field here. Certainly based on his effort here in June when he chased home I'm Your Man Man, he has nothing to fear, and will improve again for the step up in trip. There are question marks over each of his main rivals, not least Lutea, whose latest victory came courtesy of the stewards at Cartmel. Second on merit that day, he returns to the smaller obstacles with something to prove. Prince Among Men has been off since June and has not won a handicap for two years, while South Bronx has to give weight away all round. An open contest to end proceedings can see Compton Dragon gain a deserved win.
South Bronx (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Prominent, led 5 out, jumped right and headed 13th, kept on one pace from 2 out, took 2nd again near finish, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Jodante (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Prince Among Men 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied to chase winner approaching last, no impression flat, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Barney (9-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Adelphi Boy (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leader until ridden and weakened 2 out, in 6th when fell at the last in race won by Genuine Article (10-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Sept '04, 10 ran.
Lutea (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Prominent, led last, ridden when headed and not much room entering straight, soon hampered and switched right, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind General Alarm (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f beg chs (4) gf in Jul. Later awarded race.
Bodfari Signet 13-2 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place halfway, ridden 9th and soon beaten, 7th of 11, 44l behind Greenfort Brave (10-1) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Welsh Dream 12-1 (11-0) Toward rear, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 14l behind Moyne Pleasure (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Compton Dragon (USA) 11-2 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, outpaced after next, stayed on flat, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Absolutelythebest (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
Fly Tipper 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, prominent after 6th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened from next, 2nd of 9, 10l behind It's A Roofer (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.
