tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on, not able to trouble winner
prominent, reminders after 1st, 4th and ridden along from 6th, no impression after, went 3rd towards finish
prominent, led 4th, not fluent next, headed 6th, chased winner, ridden after 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, weakened flat
led until 4th, led 6th, not fluent 4 out, ridden out
jumped very slowly, lost touch before 2nd, pulled up before 4th
STORM OF APPLAUSE has been raised 5lb since going down to a narrow defeat at Ffos Las last month but Philip Hobbs' top weight still appears the most likely winner of this. Rory Boy would have solid claims on his best form but has been a big disappointment this season and is now tried in blinkers. Courella is flattered by his recent form figures as his last three runs have been in small fields while High Jack probably needs some leniency from the handicapper before regaining the winning thread.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon hard driven, jumped left next, strongly challenged after last, all out, headed post, 2nd of 6, ns behind Prince Massini (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Rory Boy (USA) 11-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 8th, weakened before 5 out, 6th of 7, well behind Nikos Extra (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Courella (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up in 3rd, not fluent 8th, chased winner next, pushed along approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace, no impression, eased flat, 2nd of 3, 13l behind Pepe Simo (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd.
High Jack (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Led, challenged from 12th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 21l behind Midnight Appeal (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Sweet Seville (FR) 20-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 13th, weakened 5 out, moderate 3rd, 3rd of 7, 34l behind Cottage Flyer (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chase (3) gd in Mar.
