tracked leaders, paced winner approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on
held up in touch, weakened 5 out
made all, not fluent 5 out, stayed on well from last
held up mid-division, not fluent 2nd, weakened 6th
in rear, pushed along and not fluent 5th and struggling
held up, pushed along approaching 6th, went poor 4th approaching 2 out, went 3rd last, stayed on well nearest finish
held up, weakened 6th
tracked leaders, weakened 5 out
tracked leaders, soon threatened winner, blundered 3rd, ridden and weakened from 3 out
Nonrunner
KIKOS always seems to run his race and is put forward to score ahead of Just Like That and Milton Des Bieffes. This represents a solid chance for the Robeson yard to return to winning ways after three successive second placings. The selection is likely to make this a searching gallop and his bold jumping can see him make all despite a career high mark. He has to give away over a stone to Just Like That, a winner at Newton Abbot earlier in the month who should remain competitive off a 4lb higher mark. Milton Des Bieffes is consistent enough and watch the market for any support for Billyandi, who returns after a long absence. Star Of Germany has won here in the past and was a beaten favorite when last seen but that last performance was dismal and massive improvement is needed if he is to figure here. Check the market for clues to the rest who offer very little in the way of good recent for, which only adds to Kikos claims.
Star of Germany (IRE) 5-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 14th of 18, 26l behind Black Cloud (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Indian Love (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 8th approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 35l behind Catskill (10-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-102 gd.
Kikos (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Led, clear 10th, mistake 2 out, blundered and stumbled last, soon headed, outpaced by winner flat, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Dead Or Alive (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May.
First Boy 16-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened next, blundered 9th, 10th of 15, well behind Michigan d'Isop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Hollow Ranger (IRE) 6-1fav (11-4) Well off pace towards rear, closer in 9th approaching 4 out, soon 7th, no impression under pressure from after 3 out, 8th of 15, 21l behind Max Speed (10-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-109 gf.
Nesnaas (USA) 13-2 (11-11) Raced in last place, ridden 3 out, improved approaching 2 out, jumped left when 4th at last, kept on towards finish, 4th of 8, 10l behind King Cyrus (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Just Like That 4-1fav (11-12) Held up, headway when not clear run on rails after 4 out until 2 out, ran on strongly from last, led near finish, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Digital Media (11-8) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Billyandi (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leader until after 5 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, well behind Yellow Flag (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
Red Jester 11-8fav (11-0) Pressed leader, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, beaten 2 out, edged right and weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Nawow (10-3) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Jumped right, made all, clear approaching 4th, ridden when hit 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Millenium Mag (10-0) by 7l, 6 ran.
Right You Are (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 4 out, driven and soon weakened, 4th of 5, 35l behind Danny Zuko (10-10) at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.