held up in touch, headwaya 3 out, ridden to lead between last 2, stayed on well flat
behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
raced keenly, held up mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden and no impression approaching next
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon struggling, no danger after
held up behind when blundered and unseated rider 4th
chased leader to 3 out, soon ridden, no impression when edged left between last 2
led, headed 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led next, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace
Regent¿s Secret is the form pick to land the opener at the expense of Ormello and Woodcraft. The selection carries a penalty for winning over course and distance earlier in the month. He has never been the easiest to win with but he is versatile, performing just as well on the flat as he does over hurdles. He ran well on the flat at Hamilton last time out and as he seems in such fine fettle he is one to stay on the right side of for the time being. Ormello won over course and distance over the larger obstacles back in May and has since run well in defeat. He reverts to hurdling once again here and as he has a rating of 127 over fences it is clear he has ability. If he can show some that over these smaller obstacles he has to be short listed to go close. Woodcraft won a maiden on the flat for Barry hills but has since struggled to find form over hurdles. He did run well enough at Catterick on his penultimate run but disappointed last time out so is one to treat with caution. So for the winner we return to Regent¿s Secret.
Regent's Secret (USA) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out to track leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out, won at Perth 2m mdn hdl (5) gd beating Still At Lunch (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Art Investor 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders until ridden, weakened 4 out, 10th of 16, 49l behind Mizen Raven (10-12) at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Castle Craigs (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Always rear, lost touch 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Gray Mountain (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Dukeofchesterwood Missed Flight gelding out of Gale Storm.
Glen Barney (IRE) Rashar gelding out of Clonroche Roxy.
Haroum (USA) 200-1 (10-12) Prominent until lost place 4 out, soon beaten, 13th of 16, well behind Mizen Raven (10-12) at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Ormello (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Behind, headway and close up 4 out, ridden approaching next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Tom's Toybox (10-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Woodcraft 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Akram (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.