pulled hard, held up, headway to go prominent 8th, outpaced by leading pair between last 2, weakened last (disqualified and placed last)
prominent, led after 2nd, headed 9th, led again 10th, headed approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, no chance when blundered last
in rear, mistake 2nd, jumped slowly 3rd, pushed along before 9th, lost touch from next, plugged on approaching last
pressed leader, led 9th, not fluent and headed 10th, led again before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, rallied, edged left and regained lead last, headed close home
held up behind leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led just after 2 out, ridden and hung left approaching last where headed, stayed on under strong pressure to regain lead close home
took keen hold, prominent, pecked badly 6th and relegated to last, some progress when not fluent 3 out, 10 lengths down in 6th and weakening when mistake 2 out
led until after 2nd, remained prominent, not keen and lost ground on leaders after 4 out, plugged on approaching last
Nonrunner
Orfeo Conti was good value for his Huntingdon success last month but a 9lb rise for that success seems harsh for Henrietta Knight's gelding and preference is for No Complaint, who gets the vote with Et Maintenant rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has not won for the best part of a year but Tom George's gelding has shown gradual improvement in recent starts, the yard continues in good form and he looks worth chancing at the weights today. Blandings Castle did not mind the soft ground when successful at Newton Abbot last month but handles fast ground just as well and a 5lb rise for that recent success looks fair so he has to be respected. Pan The Man is capable but inconsistent and of more interest may be Emma Lavelle's Et Maintenant, who was good value for his win at Exeter last time but a 9lb rise seems harsh and a better bet may be No Complaint.
Orfeo Conti (FR) 85-40 (11-5) Made all, clear after 3 out, ridden out flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Zirkel (11-12) by 10l, 5 ran.
Et Maintenant (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Keen, tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May beating Pen Gwen (11-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
Dynamic Rhythm (USA) 25-1 (11-1) Held up in last pair, mistake 6th, ridden after 11th, stayed on same pace from last, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 20l behind Oumeyade (10-13) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Pan The Man (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden 10th, no impression, 5th of 14, 32l behind Soleil Fix (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Gaelic Flight (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, left 2nd 9th until approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 22l behind Alphabetical (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Blandings Castle 11-4 (10-3) Chased leader, slightly outpaced 3 out, took closer order approaching 2 out, soon led, ridden and not fluent last, kept on gamely flat, won at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft beating Incorporation (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Reasonably Sure (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In touch, outpaced 3 out, kept on one pace after next, 5th of 11, 17l behind Fred Bojangals (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Count Kristo 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway to join leaders 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 12, 49l behind Bureaucrat (11-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May.
No Complaint (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, blundered 9th, led 12th, hard pressed from 4 out, 2 lengths clear last, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Mylo (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May.
