held up, headway 12th, went 2nd after 4 out, led 2 out, ridden, stayed on well flat
held up, effort 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened 2 out, tailed off when virtually pulled up flat
held up behind, steady headway 12th, challenged 2 out, every chance until ridden, one pace flat
with leaders, driven, outpaced 3 out, ridden, one pace approaching last
led, headed 8th, with leaders until lost place 11th, tailed off from 3 out
held up in rear, outpaced 12th, headway under pressure 3 out, 7 lengths 5th, staying on when blundered and unseated rider last
held up in touch, lost place 12th, soon beaten
with leaders, led 8th, ridden after 4 out, headed 2 out, soon one pace
Apollo Creed has been on fire this summer and bids to defy a seven pound penalty to grab his four timer, but we prefer the chances of the Irish raider Franc Villez with Catch The Perk another to note in the betting market. The selection won over course and distance at the beginning of the month and posted another course win over four furlong less last time out. The trainers horses have been in great form of late and it would be no surprise to see him in the winners enclosure once again. Apollo Creed has his stiffest task to date and is 23 pounds higher in the weights since his winning sequence started. Whether or not this task will come a little soon after his recent run remains to be seen but he has to be respected. Catch The Perk ran well when second to Apollo Creed last time and although beaten four lengths that day he is more favourably treated so will be one to note. But for the winner we return to Franc Villez.
Love That Benny (USA) 25-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden after 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Snoopy Loopy (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) sft, 16 ran.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, ridden to chase leader 2 out, led after last, ran on well towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf beating Rookery Lad (10-3) by 2l, 8 ran.
Franc Villez (FR) 4-6fav (11-4) Mid-division and mistakes early, move headway to track leader 6th, led 11th, ridden from last and eased near finish, won at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd beating Thunder Hawk (11-4) by 5l, 8 ran.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, left in front approaching 13th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Franc Villez (10-12) at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gd.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Led, ridden 3 out, joined next, headed and one pace from approaching last, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Apollo Creed (11-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
Essifer (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, soon ridden, one pace, 4th of 12, 5l behind Franc Villez (10-12) at Perth 3m nov chs (4) gd.
Just In Debt (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, smooth headway 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 13, 6l behind Apollo Creed (11-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
Newbay Bob 9-2 (11-11) Tracked leader, blundered badly 7th and 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 36l behind Classic Harry (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.