fell 1st
tracked leaders, went 2nd briefly 6th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, bumped 4th, not fluent 7th, driven after 4 out, never able to get on terms, no extra flat
not always fluent and jumped right throughout, made all, 5 lengths clear 3 out, 4 lengths ahead when hit last, hard pressed towards finish, held on
towards rear, hampered 4th, jumped right and not fluent 8th, no impression, well beaten last 3 out
chased leaders on outside, not fluent and lost place 4th, not fluent 4th, never on terms, well beaten 5th 3 out
took keen hold, mostly chased winner throughout, ridden after 4 out, 5 lengths down 3 out, 4 lengths down when winner made error last, soon closed, every chance towards finish, just held
held up, 4th when blundered and unseated rider 4th
Plenty with claims in this including the progressive Maxed Out King, who won for the third time in four starts when successful at Sedgefield but is upped a further 8lb. Virnon won for the first time over fences when scoring at Market Rasen in April and Minella Forfitness finished ahead of Chestnut Ben when also winning at Market Rasen. But THANKYOU VERY MUCH drops back down in class having gone close in this grade on her penultimate start. James Bethell’s mare can race off the same mark here and it could be her turn today.
Virnon 11-4 (11-12) In rear, headway 4 out, led before 3 out, held on well run-in, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Crafty Roberto (11-4) by 2l, 5 ran.
Maxed Out King (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Made all, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in May beating Chestnut Ben (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Thankyou Very Much 6-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear on outside, always behind, 5th of 7, dist behind Festive Affair (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Little Pop 3-1 (11-1) With leader, challenged and not fluent 4 out, ridden before last, no extra, 4th of 6, 11 3/4l behind Sir Note (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Held up, not much room 2nd, headway after 7th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Minella Forfitness (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Boss Des Mottes (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden and headed run-in, kept on and every chance until held close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Endeavor (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in May.
Minella Forfitness (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, jumped right 2nd, went 2nd from 5th, led when dived at 2 out and made mistake, headed last, led again flat, stayed on, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Accessallareas (10-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Muwalla 12-1 (10-8) Led, pushed along and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 6, dist behind Attest (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
