prominent early, chased leaders, went 2nd before 4th, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, 3rd and no impression flat
led after 1st, pecked 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened quickly
not always fluent towards rear, ridden 5th, mistake 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, pulled up before last
held up in rear, closed before 4th, not fluent 6th, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, stayed on well
held up in rear, closed 3 out, no extra from 2 out
in rear, niggled along 6th, ridden after 3 out, well beaten when pulled up before 2 out
led, not fluent 1st, soon headed, chased leaders, lost place 3rd, mistake 3 out, soon behind, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd when mistake last, no impression on winner
prominent on inside, pushed along 3 out, no extra from 2 out
Issam returns to action raised 5lb for winning at Exeter in March while Corey's Courage is 7lb higher than when successful at Ffos Las back in May. Kansas Du Berlais landed a double at Fontwell early last year while Mamoon Star will be sharper for last month’s second at Wincanton. But INDIVIDUALISTE also has a recent handicap debut under his belt and with a conditional’s allowance in his favour today, Paul Nicholls’ grey can come out best.
Issam (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Disputed lead, led after 3rd, not fluent 3 out and joined, shaken up and led narrowly last where not fluent, ridden and asserted run-in, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Kepagge (12-0) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Corey's Courage 7-2 (11-9) Prominent, good jump when went second and closed on leader 6th, going easily when led off the home turn before 3 out, eight lengths clear when hit last, pushed out, easily, won at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in May beating Great Snow (11-10) by 10l, 5 ran.
Time To Tinker (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Held up in close 5th, reminder 3rd, left in 4th place 6th, pushed along before 3 out, one pace and no impression when hit next, 4th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Judicial Law (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Operation Manna 7-2 (11-12) Chased leader until before 5th, went 2nd again 3 out until before 2 out, 3rd and no extra when jumped right last, 3rd of 6, 12 1/4l behind Decorated (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Kansas Du Berlais (FR) 11-2fav (10-8) Chased leaders on inside, weakened quickly after 3 out, 7th of 15, 20 1/4l behind Under Control (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Apr.
Mamoon Star (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) In rear, ridden 2 out, headway to chase clear winner next, kept on, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Inca De Lafayette (11-1) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Branson Missouri (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Hit 1st, raced wide in rear, outpaced and struggling 3 out, went remote 4th before next, 4th of 5, dist behind Love Envoi (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Jan.
Individualiste (FR) 15-2 (11-10) Prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden along and headed, no extra after last, 4th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Little Else (10-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.