chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, shaken up and clear when blundered and slithered on landing last, soon headed and dropped to 3rd, rallied in closing stages, went 2nd post, not recover
led until 2nd chased leader until led again 3 out, headed approaching next, chased leader under pressure, ridden and weakened approaching last
soon chasing leaders, went 2nd before the last, led run-in, soon ridden, headed and no extra final 100 yards, lost 2nd post
chased leaders, pushed along after 6th, struggling 8th, plugged on into modest 4th run-in
not fluent 6th, always behind
held up in touch, well outpaced 3 out, only 5th and plenty to do jumping 2 out, stayed on into 3r before the last, ran on to lead final 100 yards
chased leader, led 2nd until 3 out, chased leaders, weakened before last
in rear, pushed along and struggling after 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
This looks tight with Sharp Rise, Roman Flight and PARSNIP PETE enjoying a rematch after the trio finished one-two-three at Uttoxeter last time with just over a length separating all three. The formbook says little will separate them again but it's noteworthy that both Charlie Longsdon and David Dennis have gone with conditional pilots in an attempt to correct the new weight structure this time round. Fair Dilemma also ties in closely with Parsnip Pete after the pair finished one-two here in May but the George gelding continues to run his race and today might just be the day when he earns further reward for his consistency. He was arguably a little unlucky last time in the race won by Sharp Rise when the latter had most things go his way. Purple 'n Gold and Walden Prince are also to be considered in the trappiest of affairs.
Sharp Rise (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Always prominent, ridden and swished tail from before last, led flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun beating Roman Flight (10-10) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Fair Dilemma (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Led until 1st, pressed leader, led again 3 out, 3 lengths clear before last, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in May beating Parsnip Pete (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Parsnip Pete 10-1 (11-4) In touch, in mid-division, headway 6th, challenged 3 out, led next, headed flat, 3rd and held when short of room near finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Sharp Rise (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Chased leader until 4th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd close home, no impression on winner, 3rd of 9, 16 3/4l behind Newton Geronimo (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Un Beau Roman (FR) 16-1 (11-6) In rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Indian Stream (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Roman Flight (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up, towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway after 4 out, every chance last, hung left towards finish, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Sharp Rise (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Walden Prince (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Close up when fell 2nd, at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jun.
Lightening Rod 9-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 6th, pushed along 4 out, not fluent 3 out, mistake last, weakened flat, 6th of 7, 28 1/2l behind Sharp Rise (11-10) at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
