held up, mistake 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, mistake and stumbled badly 11th, went 2nd 13th, weakened 4 out
in touch, ridden approaching 13th, soon weakened
in touch, reminders after 2nd, lost place 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
prominent, ridden approaching 13th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from next, no impression
led, challenged when fell 2 out
held up, headway approaching 13th, close 2nd and challenging when left in lead 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish
held up, mistake 11th, pushed along and struggling from 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 13th ridden approaching 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, jumped right last, no impression
held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, left 3rd next, hit last, one pace
behind, pushed along 5th, reminders approaching 11th, soon outpaced, kept on from 2 out, never on terms
in touch, pushed along 6th, soon behind, mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up after 12th
A chance is taken on there being more to come from Rare Society, who edges a narrow verdict over Sungates and Midnight Gunner, while Lambrini Bianco is also worth a mention as one that is capable of producing a bold show if rising to the challenge. Lambrini Bianco has been a credit to his connections over the last few months and his consistency has reaped its reward with four wins from his last eleven starts. However, he has been well placed during his run of good form and, as he is now on a 24lb higher mark than he was on when wining over course and distance in May, he has a stiff test on his hands. Midnight Gunner is also in good heart and can give his supporters a good run for their money. However, he would not want the ground to be too lively and; although he has handled firm ground in the past, it was a long time ago and he needs to conclusively prove these conditions are right for him. Sungates, why has endured several training setbacks, has been nursed back to full fitness by Evan Williams. He made a winning start for his new trainer when showing a good attitude at Hereford last month. Tony McCoy takes over the riding duties today and another bold bid looks to be in the offering. nevertheless, Rare Society has plenty of scope for improvement and, with his ability to handle the ground assured, the Sue Smith-trained gelding rates as the best value option in a very tricky race to fathom.
Dumadic 11-2 (9-13) Behind, hit 7th and 12th, headway to chase leaders next, weakened approaching 13th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by King Barry (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in Jun, 15 ran.
Rare Society (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Towards rear, hit 9th, slightly hampered 11th, no chance when hampered last, 7th of 13, 26l behind Blazing Hills (9-11) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Beat The Heat (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, jumped left 4 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Contract Scotland (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Be The Tops (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leader to 7th, soon lost place, behind from 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 10, well behind Silver Dagger (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Midnight Gunner 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Bafana Boy (11-3) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Sungates (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 13th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, ridden out, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun beating Terrible Tenant (10-2) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Place Above (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place halfway, outpaced 5 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 26l behind Dumadic (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Lambrini Bianco (IRE) 9-2fav (11-6) Led until jumped badly right 2nd, chased leaders, went 2nd after 16th, soon no impression, 2nd of 17, 12l behind Paddy The Optimist (10-10) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
