held up in touch, blundered 4th, jumped slow next and soon lost place and behind, reminders 7th, struggling when blundered badly 10th, soon tailed off
pulled hard, led after 1st, headed 10th, soon reminders, weakened 4 out
in rear, steady headway 5 out, went 2nd before 3 out until ridden last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, went 3rd from 10th, ridden after 2 out, went 2nd last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on
led, headed after 1st, tracked leader, with leader 6th, led 10th, headed run-in, no extra
tracked leaders in 3rd when faultered badly and pulled up after 9th
ZHUKOV has been winning so easily that even a further 13lb rise shouldn't preclude a fifth success since May with his usual pilot able to claim 7lb. Richard Johnson has scored on Majy D'Auteuil in the past and his mount looks to have been given a reasonable chance by the handicapper. He looks the main threat though Star Of Germany has generally competed at a much higher level and though he's lost his way recently he's a massive 25lb lower than at this time a year ago.
Zhukov (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led after 10th, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf beating Sumner (11-7) by 9l, 7 ran.
Star of Germany (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, went 4th next, bumped and no impression approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 30l behind Morning Moment (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Farmer Frank 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, chased winner from 4 out, ridden and held before 2 out, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Home (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Majy D'auteuil (FR) 6-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, not fluent 10th, outpaced next, rallied and hit last, stayed on flat, 4th of 9, 8l behind Hoo La Baloo (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Morestead (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Prominent, led before 2nd, headed 3 out, weakened flat, 8th of 12, 18l behind Diamond Mm (10-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Mr Ramsay (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led, clear before halfway, reduced advantage after 3 out, under pressure and headed before 2 out where fell, in a race won by Strongpoint (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 7f beg chase gf in Jun '10, 15 ran.
Rock Me (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Mid-division, closed after 7th, ridden next, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Youngstown (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
