held up in rear, headway 3 out, challenged last, 3rd and held when hung left towards finish
tracked leaders, switched right after 3 out, not clear run before last, soon switched left, short of room against false rail flat, not really able to challenge
in touch in mid-division, not fluent 4th, lost place 3 out, well behind when mistake last
stumbled start, led until before 2 out, faded
went to post early, held up in rear, wandered into 3 out, soon closed, challenged last, stayed on, led towards finish
chased leader, pushed along after 6th, led before 2 out, headed towards finish
in touch in mid-division on inside, outpaced after 3 out, well held last
in touch in mid-division, hit 3rd, no impression on leaders form 3 out
Esprit De Baileys and Percy are closely matched on their 1-2 here last month and the third that day beat John Constable over track and trip next time. TEQANY only weakened approaching the last on his first start since wind surgery and after a lengthy absence. He’ll go close in this if that has blown away the cobwebs. Dear Sire has gone up 7lb for winning at Bangor but has won off a higher mark in the past so can’t be left out of calculations while What Will Be won on the all-weather in June. Lovato hasn’t run over hurdles in more than 12 months but is probably on a fair mark.
Dear Sire (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, challenged last, soon led, hung left flat, stayed on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Some Day Soon (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Teqany (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) 2nd or 3rd throughout, ridden after 2 out, 3rd and held last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 8 3/4l behind Cubswin (11-9) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Lovato (GER) 6-1 (11-8) Mid-division on inside, mistake 3rd, closer at 8th, chased leaders and pushed along after 11th, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Western Miller (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Esprit De Baileys (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Led until 2nd, chased leader, not fluent 4th, led before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, led again before diving at last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Percy (11-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Percy (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway when mistake 3 out, 3rd when not fluent last, stayed on, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Esprit De Baileys (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Gateway To Europe 9-4fav (11-6) Chased leaders on inside, went 2nd and went right 3 out until after 3 out, chased leaders, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Doubly Clever (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
What Will Be (IRE) 5-2jfav (9-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on outside hanging left over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Elhafei (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 6f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
John Constable (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Waited with towards rear, good headway after 2 out, kept on well run-in, went 2nd final 75 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Get Back Get Back (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
