led or disputed lead, not fluent and headed 3 out, mistake and no impression on winner next
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, every chance 4 out, one pace next, well beaten 2 out
held up, not fluent 6th, headway 14th, lost place 4 out, well beaten 2 out
led or disputed lead, mistake 12th, beaten 4 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 4th, reminder next, well behind 13th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, ridden and weakened before 14th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, no impression on winner, just failed to get 2nd
in rear, mistake 10th, struggling 13th
held up in rear, headway after 14th, no impression from 3 out
mid-division, headway 13th, challenged 4 out, led next, clear when stirrup pin broke 2 out and rider lost iron, lost other iron last, stayed on
San Pietro could be in contention if resuming the upward trajectory of his career but that has to be taken on trust after a disappointing run at Cartmel. Billy Two Tongues is bidding for the hat-trick here but could struggle to carry top weight, and preference is for STEPS AND STAIRS who won comfortably on his chase debut and can make it two from two in a similar race. Based on her second at Warwick in May, Queen Spud has place claims if fully recovered from her fall last time.
Billy Two Tongues 7-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led and bumped after 7th, soon headed, jumped left 9th, led again 11th, pressed 3 out until last, clear flat, comfortably, won at Fontwell 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating For 'n' Against (11-6) by 8l, 5 ran.
Iora Glas (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, dist behind Veneaux Du Cochet (10-13) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Wait A Second (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Towards rear, lost place quickly and behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Ascot 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Argot 15-2 (9-3) Led, pushed along 4f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Princess Roania (9-1) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jun.
San Pietro (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along 12th, driven to chase leaders next, never on terms, weakening when hit 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, dist behind Munsaab (11-4) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Steps And Stairs (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led before last, kept on, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Jun beating Sonneofpresenting (11-12) by 12l, 10 ran.
Queen Spud 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 4th, led before 7th, headed 11th, led after 4 out, headed next, led again and 2 lengths ahead when fell last, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Relkwood (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Jun beating Red Penny (11-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Arboretum 100-1 (10-12) In rear, not fluent 2nd, weakened after 3 out, last of 7, 26l behind Hassle (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Schindler's Prince (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden 11th, headway normal 4 out, challenged next, led normal 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) gs in Jul beating Daulys Anthem (11-10) by 7l, 9 ran.
