held up in rear, pushed along before 5 out, soon weakened and pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 8th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well
tracked leader, mistake 6th, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, blundered 8th, soon lost place, headway before 5 out, one pace in 3rd when mistake last
led, headed 2 out, ridden run-in, no chance with winner
James Cowley has already won twice at Bangor this summer on Valleyofmilan but the partnership could find VELATOR (NAP) a tough nut to crack here. Peter Bowen's charge has his off-days but absolutely bolted up over a longer trip at Newton Abbot earlier this month and looks in good form at present. Raajih won this 12 months ago but has 16lb more to carry this year, though did score at Kilbeggan in the spring. The market will probably the best guide to the chances of the returning Lambro, Hollow Blue Sky and Blenheim Brook but all would have a chance if fully wound-up.
Lambro (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 8th and lost place, dropped behind 6 out, no extra 4 out, eased approaching straight, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Away We Go (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 6f chs in Jun, 9 ran.
Raajih 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, improved to chased leaders from 5 out, 4th 3 out where not fluent, ridden after 2 out and no impression from before last, 8th of 12, 23l behind Caim Hill (11-4) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs gd in Jul.
Velator 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 4 out, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Wiesentraum (11-12) by 10l, 6 ran.
Valleyofmilan (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, closed 3 out, led next, ridden clear flat, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Aug beating Settledoutofcourt (11-7) by 5l, 6 ran.
Hollow Blue Sky (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 13th, went 2nd before last, edged right flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Seebright (11-8) at Perth 3m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft in Apr.
Blenheim Brook (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Towards rear, weakened from 5 out, 5th of 6, well behind Lively Baron (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in May.
