in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace from next
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened next
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 5 out
made all, jumped right 2 out, ridden and ran on strongly
close up, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
with winner until 7th, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, lost 2nd near finish
always in rear, struggling from 5 out
Cottage Oak has the best form in the book this term courtesy of his second to Mumbles Head here in the valuable Perth Gold Cup but he's gone awol the last twice and is probably best watched until recapturing form. In contrast, SUN TZU, after pulling up on four of his previous five runs, suddenly came ablaze again at Southwell last time when coasting home unchallenged. This is his yard's time of year and he can defy a 7lb penalty. Go Silver Bullet unseated last time on his return from an absence and will be a player if finding his form again but the ultra-consistent Leac An Scail looks a likelier danger. He handles all ground types, is in good heart at present and looks on a fair mark. Wave Power is not ruled out either.
Cottage Oak (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Caim Hill (10-10) at Kilbeggan 2m 6f hcp chs, 14 ran.
Sun Tzu (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led after 5th, made rest, drew well clear from 4 out, unchallenged after, eased down flat, won at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Five Out Of Five (11-0) by 17l, 7 ran.
Dystonia's Revenge (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Raced wide in mid-division, lost place and towards rear 13th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Mumbles Head (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Jun, 17 ran.
Sotovik (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) With leader, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Lamboro Lad (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Wave Power (IRE) 3-1fav (10-8) Held up in 4th, outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), kept on same pace, no chance with leaders, 4th of 8, 49l behind Epee Celeste (9-7) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Go Silver Bullet (FR) 14-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, hampered 6th, blundered and unseated rider 10th, in a race won by Summery Justice (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Apr, 9 ran.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) Pressed leader and clear of rest, led after 2nd, hit and headed narrowly 6th, effort 3 out (usual 4 out), kept on and every chance until ridden and one pace after last (usual 2 out), no impression flat, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Epee Celeste (9-7) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Solway Bay 66-1 (10-0) Not fluent 3rd (water), behind, tailed off and pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Mumbles Head (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Jun, 17 ran.
