chased leaders until stumbled badly 14th, not recover
raced wide, held up in touch, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 13th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 13th, ridden and one pace from 2 out
made most until 12th, ridden at approaching 2 out, rallied to lead last strides
took keen hold, with leader, led 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, caught last strides
jumped slowly 6th and 7th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
Benrajah returns to the scene of his last easy victory, and freshened up after a little break, can prove too good for the likes of Montifault, Moving Earth and Little Big Horse. Martin Todhunter's eight-year-old has plenty going for him here as he loves fast ground and has no problem staying three miles. In addition he goes well fresh as proved by his return from a two-month break when making all of the running here under Paul Robson in April. That was over two and a half miles, and he was not stopping at the end, so expect similar tactics today. A small rise in the weights is unlikely to stop the northern raider in his current mood, and he is the one to beat. Montifault has taken on good company in the past but has had his detractors. Paul Nicholls' charge has been hunter-chasing of late and will find this ground a bit lively as well. Moving Earth has it to do with the selection on earlier running here and can be a moody individual. The ability is there though judged on his last-gasp effort at Ludlow and he may be in the frame at the end. Little Big Horse will at least appreciate the trip after his one-paced third to Sky Warrior at Worcester, but along with the latter, is hard to fancy for win purposes, and it is Benrajah who is the logical choice.
