with leader, led 4 out, hard ridden approaching last, headed closing stages, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, chased winner next, stayed on under pressure to lead close home
held up in touch, headway 4 out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, ran on after last
chased leaders, weakened 15th, tailed off 3 out
led until 4 out, rallied next, weakened last
His Excellency makes the long trek from Somerset and whilst he retains a fair level of ability, no win since October 2012 is something of a telling statistic for the Pipe charge. Bless The Wings is running poorly this term and improvement is required if Stonethrower is to contend. Dark Glacier was third here last time behind Hero De Villeneuve but seems unlikely to reverse placings despite a favourable weights swing as the Irish raider looks a chaser on the upgrade and rates the main danger to CARLITO BRIGANTE. The topweight has done really well since moving to Karen McLintock and his latest effort when second to the progressive The Romford Pele in a Listed chase at Uttoxeter was an excellent performance that sets the standard here.
Carlito Brigante (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, left 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 17, 14l behind The Romford Pele (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jun.
His Excellency (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 1st, not fluent 3rd, driven along before 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind The Nephew (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along before 10th, soon reminders and pulled up, tailed off, in a race won by Hero De Villeneuve (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd, 7 ran.
Hero De Villeneuve (FR) 15-2 (10-12) In rear, smooth headway 11th, led last, kept on well, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd beating Five Star Wilsham (11-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
Stonethrower (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before and mistake 2 out, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Whisky Yankee (11-1) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gf in Jun.
Dark Glacier (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) With leader, left in lead 5th, headed next, led again 10th, headed 3 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Hero De Villeneuve (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd.
