tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon led, not fluent and headed last, rallied to lead close home
soon led, headed after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
led early, prominent, weakened before omitted 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced from 2 out, no impression after
towards rear, blundered 4th (normally 8th), well beaten before omitted 4 out
mid-division, headway after omitted 3 out, 3rd 2 out, not quicken before last
held up in rear, jumped right 3rd (normally 7th), headway before 2 out, hanging left, not clear run and switched right between last 2, led when jumped right last, rider lost irons, hung left flat, headed close home
mid-division, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 4th (normally 8th), ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after omitted 3 out, weakened before 2 out
prominent, not fluent 4th (normally 8th), well beaten before omitted 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before omitted 4 out, weakened before 2 out
Brave Eagle returned to winning ways at Plumpton last month but may be vulnerable in this more competitive race off a 5lb higher mark. Ballyalton has only run once over hurdles since 2014 but he’s a useful chaser off this sort of mark. SOURIYAN appeared to find a longer trip just too far last time at Cartmel but had beaten a subsequent winner earlier at Market Rasen and is in good form. Peter Bowen’s charge may recoup losses though Wynford, who has gone close the last twice, is a danger and Royal Village is reunited with Richard Johnson. Ozzy Thomas has gone up 3lb since his second over track and trip and, like Huntingdon winner Aviator, will need to up his game to take this.
Brave Eagle (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-12) Tracked leading pair, 2nd before 3 out, led before next where went left and hit, pressed last, driven and stayed on to assert final 100 yards, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May beating Mellow Ben (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ballyalton (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 5th of 27, 20 1/4l behind Ultragold (11-1) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent and reminders after 12th, struggling 5 out, behind when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next, at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Souriyan (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Led, driven and hard pressed after 2 out, headed last, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure in 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Allbarnone (10-0) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, blundered 1st, struggling before 3 out, 10th of 13, dist behind Black Sam Bella (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Royal Village (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway on outside before 2 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 13, 6 1/2l behind Midnight Maestro (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Wynford (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway when not much room just after 2 out, challenged flat, led narrowly towards finish, hung left, headed close home, 2nd of 13, hd behind Midnight Maestro (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Nachi Falls 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division on inside, blundered badly and lost place 6th, not recover and pulled up soon after, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Ozzy Thomas (IRE) 12-1 (12-1) Close up, chased winner 3 out, ridden and every chance last, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Laugharne (11-6) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Lillian (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, joined leaders 4th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened next, 6th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Buckhorn Timothy (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Raktiman (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened from 12th, pulled up, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Aviator (GER) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in May beating Night Generation (11-9) by 1l, 7 ran.
