made all, quickened clear on home bend, not fluent last, stayed on gamely
chased winner until home turn, soon beaten, eased
chased leaders, went 2nd home turn until before last, no extra flat
chased leaders, went 2nd before last, closed briefly, no impression
always last, struggling 4th, soon behind
Graceland made all for a comfortable success here in June but came up short chasing a hat-trick off this mark at Southwell and could find fellow course and distance winner SIMPLY LOVELEH too strong today. Dan Skelton’s mare is making giant strides and the handicapper may have underestimated her. Green Or Black is a bit more exposed but it was no surprise to see her come good at Cartmel and she’s back in form. Shufoog was a bit unlucky on the Flat at Newbury last week and is on a fair mark over hurdles so is no out of this.
Graceland (FR) 2-1fav (12-3) Raced on inside, chased leader, led before 3rd until 2 out, lost 2nd between last 2, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 14 1/4l behind Ena Baie (11-3) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Simply Loveleh 9-4 (10-11) Off the pace in 3rd, closer 3 out, 2nd after next, quickened to lead last, soon clear, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jul beating Vinnie's Getaway (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Green Or Black (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, went 2nd after 2 out, 2 lengths down when left in lead last, soon driven, drew clear final 150 yards, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jul beating Millie The Minx (10-13) by 6l, 5 ran.
Shufoog 20-1 (9-10) Behind, not clear run 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 100 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Lightening Dance (10-2) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp fll (5) gf in Jul.
Timassini (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4th, some headway next, no impression, well beaten before 3 out, 8th of 13, dist behind Melekhov (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Apr.
