tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, ridden before 2 out, chased winner from last, no impression
in rear, outpaced before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
led, headed 2 out, lost 2nd place from last, no extra
tracked leader, led 2 out, stayed on strongly from last
in touch in 4th place, outpaced before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Solar Impulse doesn't look like the horse that landed a Cheltenham Festival handicap for Paul Nicholls last year but did display more sparkle last time at Southwell and is a player if operating at the same level here. Red Riverman ran a cracker on his first start since late 2015 when just nudged out at Cartmel this month and has a strong claim if not subject to the dreaded 'bounce' factor. VIRNON came to grief at the first last time but has a leading chance on previously consistent form and is a useful dual purpose sort. He is best held up off the pace so let's hope that Leighton Aspell appears on the scene going well at the business end of proceedings. The Yank looks where the handicapper wants him to be at present with similar comments applicable to Royal Plaza, although both are not ruled out in an open contest.
Solar Impulse (FR) 11-2 (12-1) Held up, closed before 4th, tracking leaders going well when not much room briefly on last bend, soon switched right, driven into 2nd and hung right before 2 out, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Stynes (12-1) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Virnon 11-2 (11-12) Fell 1st, at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
The Yank 3-1 (11-5) Led, hit 4 out and headed, no chance with winner next, weakened into 3rd before next, last of 3, dist behind Deauville Dancer (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Red Riverman 8-1 (11-12) Prominent, chased leader after last, led run-in, kept on and headed near finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Domtaline (12-3) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Red Giant (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) In rear, mistake 4th, slow next and 6th while also getting detached, closed briefly 7th, well beaten before 4 out, last of 6, 33 1/4l behind Stynes (12-1) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Royal Plaza 9-2jfav (12-1) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Marquis Of Carabas (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Avidity 7-1 (10-13) Towards rear, jumped right at times, outpaced 5th, behind 5th, pulled up before 4 out, at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
