took keen hold, held up in touch in mid-division, headway 7th, mistake 3 out, chased winner after next, stayed on same pace last, no impression
held up towards rear, blundered badly 4th, ridden after 7th, well beaten 2 out
prominent, mistake 6th, weakened after 4 out
held up, took keen hold, not much room 1st, headway next, ridden after 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out
in rear, jumped right at times, behind 7th, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led 2 out, ran on well
in touch in mid-division, closed 7th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
held up in mid-division, headway when not much room 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up in rear, hit 3rd, mistake 6th, struggling after next, well beaten 3 out
held up in mid-division, hit 3rd, jumped left next, headway 4 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, not fluent, blundered and unseated rider next
led until 2 out, weakened approaching last
Schinken Otto could probably run around here blindfold and he won't mind the fast ground. He's very well handicapped on his old form but is probably on a downward curve now. Strobe came good at Bangor last month and shouldn't be far away again while both Otto Quercus and City Ground would be thereabouts if back to their best. Maizy Missile is difficult to catch right, however, and would have preferred more rain. RIDDLEOFTHESANDS has proved frustrating to follow but has enough ability to win this off his current mark and gets a tentative vote after a short break.
Otto Quercus (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, prominent, challenged 4 out, led before 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra towards finish, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Tout Regulier (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
City Ground (USA) 13-2 (9-9) In rear, mistake 6th, headway 11th quickly weakened after 2 out, eased before and pulled up before last, in a race won by Ray Diamond (10-6) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jul, 10 ran.
Jim Tango (FR) 50-1 (11-11) Led, soon clear until 5th, headed and ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Solaras Exhibition (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May, 11 ran.
Riddleofthesands (IRE) 10-3fav (11-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, bumped 2nd, ridden after 7th, well behind 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind The Grey One (10-3) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Strobe 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, jumped right last, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Jul beating Silver Steel (10-13) by 8l, 9 ran.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Led, 10 lengths clear at 4th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 18l behind South Stack (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf.
Maizy Missile (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) In touch, staying on same pace and challenging for modest 4th when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 16l behind Escardo (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jul.
Pumboo (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened last, 5th of 9, 39l behind Pete (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Jul.
Venture To War (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, left close 2nd 7th, led next, not fluent 3 out, pressed when fell 2 out, in a race won by Rajnagan (11-6) at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gd, 8 ran.
Authentic Act (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, outpaced from 3 out, went poor 4th after 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 28l behind Nisaal (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Isitcozimcool (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, weakened after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Geminus (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jul, 12 ran.
My Condor (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led to 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Citrus Mark (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jul.