always behind
held up towards rear, outpaced 5th, soon struggling
keen, prominent, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead 2 out, soon clear
always behind, reminders 4th, soon struggling tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, effort 3 out, one pace next
in touch, effort 3 out, one pace next
led, headed 2 out, one pace
prominent, raced keen, disputed lead 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
with leader, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, one pace
tracked leaders, lost place from 3rd
Nonrunner
Summer Special can end a frustrating sequence of seconds at the expense of Va Vavoom, with Leopold and So Determined the other main contenders in the opener. It has not been for the want of trying that Summer Special has failed to open his account since being sent hurdling this year, as Sue Bradburne's charge has finished second no less than four times, including behind Chef de Cour over the course and distance just over three weeks ago. The ground was heavy then but he does act on today's faster going, and surely this must be the perfect opportunity for him to lose the maiden tag that has been his millstone since his debut on the Flat three years ago. Va Vavoom has an absence to overcome but Nigel Twiston-Davies loves his visits to the Scottish track and you can be sure that his runner will be fit enough, while Leopold has shaped as though he needs further on the evidence so far. Irish raider So Determined made a crucial mistake at the final flight at Roscommon that cost him the race last time, and he will be a popular choice to gain compensation, but we still prefer the claims of Summer Special who has the benefit of course experience.
Captain Saif 22-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 43l behind Barking Mad (9-13) at Beverley 1m 4f clm (5) gf (Flat).
Rajam 10-1 (11-9) Always behind, 16th of 22, well behind Lawgiver (10-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Apr.
Summer Special 2-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching last and kept on flat, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Chef de Cour (11-2) at Perth 2m nov hdl (E) hvy.
Va Vavoom (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 6th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 16th of 18, well behind Moulin Riche (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar.
Alfie's Connection 13-2 (10-7) Held up, weakened halfway, 9th of 17, well behind Etched In Stone (11-4) at Perth 2m nhf (H) gf in May.
Leopold (SLO) 7-1 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 9l behind Lawyer Des Ormeaux (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (E) gf.
So Determined (IRE) 10-3fav (11-5) Close up in 2nd, led before 3 out, soon clear, 5l advantage after bad mistake last, kept on under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Connemara Rose (10-11) at Roscommon 2m mdn hdl gf.
King's Envoy (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Struggling from halfway, no chance when pulled up 4 out in race won by Travel (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May, 12 ran.
