chased leaders, not fluent 1st, pushed along before mistake 3 out, soon well held in 4th
2nd early, chased leaders, mistake 4th, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear flat, stayed on
not always fluent, held up towards rear, pushed along in 5th after 4 out, well beaten 3 out
raced keenly, soon chasing leader, lost 2nd after 3 out, rallied and went 2nd again flat, no impression on winner
chasing leaders on outside 2nd, lost place after 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
led, headed after 2 out, lost 2nd and no extra flat
not jump well, always behind, tailed off 4 out
After an improved effort behind Chasamax here last month, BUTTE MONTANA comfortably held off hurdling debutant Mordred at Stratford. The latter will improve for the experience and is better off at the weights today but the winner can confirm running with his yard still firing in the winners. Kentucky Hardboot has a similar chance to the selection on collateral form but has changed stables since last seen. Captain Ivan made all in a maiden at Worcester but this looks tougher.
Butte Montana (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Led, headed second, regained lead before 4 out, ridden before last, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Mordred (11-4) by 5l, 12 ran.
Captain Ivan (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Made all, pushed along 2 out, always in control, won at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Edinburgh Castle (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 15 ran.
Kentucky Hardboot (IRE) 6-5fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, driven after 2 out, went 2nd from last, no impression, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Chasamax (11-7) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Jun.
Dionysis (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, weakened and struggling in 4th before hit 3 out, pulled up before next, at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Emojie 250-1 (11-0) In touch, pushed along before 3 out, soon beaten, 10th of 11, dist behind Paso Doble (10-8) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in May.
Mordred (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 3 out, went second before last, ran on but always held, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Butte Montana (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Vermillion Rose 22-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along 6f out, lost place 5f out, well beaten final 4f, 5th of 9, dist behind Pollypockett (10-9) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in Jun.
