chased leaders, led 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
tracked leader, effort before 3 out, soon under pressure and no impression
led, driven and headed before 4 out, blundered next, soon one pace
in touch, pushed along halfway, stayed on approaching 2 out, never able to challenge
keen hold tracking leaders, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
It's entirely possible that Towcester hurdles winner Beggar's Velvet will improve again for the switch to fences and he faces modest opposition here. The handicapper has taken no chances with Fergal O'Brien's six-year-old, however, as he has to give 18lb to SONIC ANTHEM. Owen Brennan's gelding won at Southwell last month and may have found the ground too quick at Sedgefield subsequently. Haar has hinted at ability but Lajidaal looks a hard ride and has been well beaten in all three starts so far over the larger obstacles.
Beggar's Velvet (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Prominent, jumped left 1st, ridden after 4th, went 2nd after next, led 2 out, clear last, ran on, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Kikos (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Haar 12-1 (11-11) Prominent, reminders before 12th, ridden before 3 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 5l behind Moscow Chancer (10-10) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 12-1 (11-12) Led to 1st, headed briefly 2nd, headed 4th, ridden before 13th, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 11, 39l behind Riskier (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Lajidaal (USA) 4-1 (11-5) Driven along towards rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, no extra from next, weakened to 4th flat, 4th of 8, 30l behind Catch The Rascal (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Summer Swing (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent and pecked 6th, headway next, went 2nd approaching 2 out until last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Star Galaxy (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
