held up well in rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, not reached leaders
set strong pace and soon nearly 20 lengths clear, reduced lead after 4 out, headed and jumped left 3 out, tailed off and eased when fell last
chased clear leader, closed after 4 out, led 3 out, driven and kept on well flat
well behind leaders in 5th, pushed along and weakened 6th
held up, closed on leader 6th, chased leading pair 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, driven and kept on well flat
took keen hold, raced in 3rd behind strong pace, blundered 5th, closed up after 4 out, chased winner 3 out until between last 2, no extra
prominent in chasing group, weakened soon after 3 out
always in rear, tailed off approaching 3 out
prominent in chasing group, closed to chase leading pair 4 out, hampered and weakened next
Le Corvee is selected here ahead of Woolly Bully and Dishdasha. Le Corvee is looking to complete a quick hat-trick of wins and, under his latest penalty, could well still be well handicapped. A fast pace is key to his chances and he rates as an obvious player today. Despite having been off since May, Woolly Bully comes here seeking a hat-trick and a nine-pounds rise for the latest of those victories looks far from prohibitive. Dishdasha has been running well in valuable handicaps this summer and comes here in good form, although he has a career-high mark to defy now if he is to score. Bureaucrat is well handicapped on his best form and first time blinkers could well see him rev up his game, while Mister Benedictine was just ahead of him last time at Stratford last time and is entitled to some thought. Contra Mundum is lightly raced and has been doing well but he too now has career-high mark to defy, while, finally, Art Modern improved on the Flat during the year and might have more to offer over hurdles now. The selection, though, is Le Corvee.
Dishdasha (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Pulled hard, held up, headway after 3 out, chased winner last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Country Escape (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.
Bureaucrat 10-3fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, every chance from 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 10, 6l behind Decisive (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Mister Benedictine 8-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon tracking leaders, ridden next, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 5l behind Decisive (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Contra Mundum (USA) 14-1 (11-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Dan Buoy (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Le Corvee (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, gradually crept closer from 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, led just after 2 out, ridden clear from last, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Pips Assertive Way (10-2) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Woolly Bully 6-5fav (11-11) Held up in touch, close up when stumbled after 3 out, led 2 out, challenged last, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May beating Shropshirelass (10-13) by 3l, 11 ran.
Classic Role 12-1 (11-5) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, held when fell 2 out in race won by Dan Buoy (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug, 12 ran.
Rooster's Reunion (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, reminders 3rd, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Smoke Trail (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) frm in Apr, 7 ran.
Art Modern (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, effort 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 13, 24l behind Nobelix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
