held up behind in touch, tracked leaders on inside 10th, joined leader going well after 2 out (usual 4 out), driven to lead narrowly when jumped left last, ridden flat, just held on
held up in 5th, lost place and dropped to rear 9th, stayed on under pressure to regain 5th after next, went moderate 4th after 2 out (usual 4 out), no chance with leaders
held up in rear, headway on outside 9th, joined leader after next, outpaced in clear 3rd after 2 out (usual 4 out), no chance with front pair before last
led, headed and reminder 8th, 4th and outpaced before 2 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened and pulled up
tracked leading pair, lost place 10th, weakened 2 out (usual 4 out), tailed off
pressed leader, led 8th, driven and hard pressed after 2 out (usual 4 out), headed narrowly when carried left last, soon ridden, rallied flat, just held
tracked leaders, lost place 10th, soon struggling and behind, tailed off
NOBLE COMMANDER landed one or two tasty bets at Ffos Las on his previous venture across the Irish Sea and despite a 7lb rise for his labours, the nine-year-old has been presented with an obvious chance of a follow up. Fellow raider, Sean Airgead did not do too much wrong at Hexham on his chasing debut and he is not far away from winning a race on that evidence. It's Like That has proved difficult to win with, though he does know how to get his head in front at Uttoxeter, and Tony McCoy will ensure that there is maximum assistance from the saddle. The remainder have been largely disappointing although Whispering Jack could conceivably be well treated in relation to some of his previous hurdling exploits.
Sean Airgead (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, closed 7th, challenged after last, led 150 yards out, headed close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Flinty Bay (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f beg chase (5) hvy in Jun.
It's Like That (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Chased winner, challenged from 3 out, ridden and every chance flat, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Plein Pouvoir (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in May.
Ifandbutwhy (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in 5th, headway 7th, went 2nd and close up after 2 out, ridden and no impression last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Wheyaye (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jun.
Whispering Jack 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leader, effort 3 out, soon no impression, modest 3rd, 3rd of 5, 41l behind Delgany Gunner (9-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Noble Commander (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Towards rear, good headway to chase leader after 5 out, led 2 out, clear before last, driven out towards finish, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jun beating Officier De Reserve (11-9) by 3l, 7 ran.
Delgany Gunner 7-2 (10-1) Tracked leader until not fluent 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd after next, stayed on to close on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Taffy Thomas (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Earl Grez (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Towards rear, mistake 9th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Swift Arrow (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May, 10 ran.
Jacks Grey 5-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 28l behind City Ground (10-0) at Stratford 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Hazeymm (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Kpt on wl 3 out; went 2nd flat; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 7, 25l behind Surenaga (11-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gd in Jun.
