led, pushed along and headed home turn, weakened quickly and not fluent last
in rear, in touch, closed up 2 out, pushed along home turn, ran on same pace
in touch behind leaders, ridden home turn, hung left and plugged on one pace before last
tracked leaders, pushed along after 10th, not fluent 2 out, soon lost touch
chased leaders, pushed along and headway to dispute lead approaching last, ridden and headed run-in, no extra
prominent on outer, pushed along and led home turn, joined approaching last, ridden run-in and forged ahead, kept on
NonRunner
SCARPIA only scrambled home at Worcester and third Shantou Express, a winner over track and trip earlier, is 3lb better off but Nicky Henderson’s mare can confirm the form and complete a double. Hunting Percival has been chasing recently but Gentleman Valley is on a roll and looks a threat to all despite another career-high mark. Mr Yeats is getting no help from the handicapper, however, and Hoganville failed to cope with a weight rise at Hexham while Isthebaropen is having a first run since October.
Shantou Express (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Led, not fluent 9th, driven and headed last, 3rd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Scarpia (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Isthebaropen 12-1 (11-13) In rear, mistake 3rd, ridden after 5th, well behind 9th, pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Gentleman Valley (FR) 13-8fav (11-9) Keen early, chasing leaders 2nd, not fluent 4th or 5th, led 3 out, clear flat, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Polish (11-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Hoganville (IRE) 3-1jfav (12-0) In touch in mid-division, closed going strongly after 3rd, went 2nd next until after 6th, went 2nd 9th, ridden before last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Velasco (10-8) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Mr Yeats (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, mistake 2 out, rallying when not much room last, stayed on, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Secret Trix (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Hunting Percival 11-2 (11-6) In rear, never really travelling, lost touch 11th, pulled up before 14th, at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Scarpia (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th, led last, pressed flat, held on, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Polish (11-2) by hd, 5 ran.
