led, jinked right 1st, edged right on bend after 7th, headed before 4 out, 3rd and beaten when not fluent 3 out, no extra from next
tracked leader until after 4th, went 2nd next until 8th, 2nd again when not fluent 3 out, not fluent 2 out, challenged last, soon led, ridden out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd after 4th until slow next, 2nd again 8th, led before 4 out, pressed last, soon headed, held after, stayed on
led into start, struggling to keep up after not fluent 4th, well behind 8th, soon pulled up
STRADIVARIUS DAVIS won’t be much of a price but it seems pointless opposing Paul Nicholls’ easy Wincanton winner, despite the penalty. Lively Article makes his debut under Rules after a lay-off but did win between the flags last year. Manhattan Spring looked a nice prospect in bumpers a couple of years ago but has only shown modest form over hurdles so far and still has his stamina to prove.
Stradivarius Davis (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in touch on outside, headway into 2nd after 3 out, challenged before next, led between last 2, driven clear from last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in May beating Ringa Ding Ding (11-0) by 8l, 7 ran.
Lively Article (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Rcd 2nd, disp brfly when mstk 5th, lft in ld 4out, hdd 2out, 2l 2nd, ev ch brfly early flat, no ex final 50 yards, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Copper West (11-10) at Boulta 3m mdn gs in Dec.
Manhattan Spring 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, some headway after 3 out, no impression next, weakened, 8th of 16, 28 1/4l behind Schnabel (12-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Beyond The Stars 80-1 (10-12) Led and hit 2nd, slow and headed 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 32l behind Autumn Surprise (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
