led 2nd, headed and not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner last
held up rear of mid-division, struggling in last 12th, looked reluctant after, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, edged right and not fluent 7th, lost place 13th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 11th, lost place next, closed after 13th, not fluent 14th, soon ridden, weakened before 4 out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, hit 5th, not fluent next, headway 13th, going well after 4 out, went 2nd next, led 2 out, clear from last
held up in mid-division, headway when not fluent 3rd, lost place before 14th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, lost place before 6th, slow 10th, headway 12th, 4th and struggling when mistake 2 out, went 3rd last, stayed on flat
prominent on outside, every chance when mistake 3 out, weakened next
led until 2nd, chased leaders, slow and lost place 3rd, slow 5th, hit 7th, mistake 8th, saddle looked to have slipped and pulled up before next
Vice Et Vertu was no match for an improver at Market Rasen last month but should strip fitter here, though is hard to catch right nowadays. A similar comment applies to fellow veteran Aubusson but he did win off a 5lb higher mark at Ludlow last year. Compadre still looks high enough in the weights, however, while Rizzardo is another in need of some help from the handicapper. The rains may have come in time for BARBROOK STAR, who is back on the same mark off which he was successful at Warwick last season. Richard Johnson’s mount is preferred to Eureu Du Boulay, who will be all the better for a spin over hurdles and is the likely pace angle.
Aubusson (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until 13th, 2nd again before next, went right 16th, lost 2nd and outpaced 3 out, went remote 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 26 1/4l behind Soldier Of Love (11-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Led until after 3rd, led again 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 17l behind El Presente (11-1) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Barbrook Star (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Chased leader until after 3rd, chased leaders, went 2nd again 4th until before 3 out, still every chance when pecked 3 out, left remote 3rd next, plugged on and nearly snatched 2nd last strides, 3rd of 7, 13 1/4l behind Le Boizelo (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Rizzardo 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, closer on outside approaching 8th, mistake 11th, stumbled badly and weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Compadre (IRE) 16-5 (11-8) Held up in 5th, took keen hold, not fluent 9th or 4 out, headway before 3 out, bumped 2 out, close 3rd flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Pride Of Parish (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Miami Present (IRE) 15-2 (12-0) Led until 2nd, chased leader until 7th, lost place 11th, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Eureu Du Boulay (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Led until before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Craigmor (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Fr Humphrey (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Ran out at the 1st, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Quick Brew 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 3rd until 4th, led 7th, headed 9th, not fluent 12th, led 4 out until 3 out, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Istimraar (10-3) at Perth 3m hcp (5) gd in Jul.