held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, driven after 7th, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up in touch, weakened when mistake 7th, 7th and no chance when carried out by loose horse 2 out
made most until 6th, 2nd and beaten when hit 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on one pace but no chance with winner
prominent, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th when mistake last
in mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
took keen hold early, well behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, led 6th, 10 lengths clear when hit last, eased near finish
always behind, tailed off
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
held up in mid-division, hampered by loose horse 4th, ridden 6th, soon struggling, tailed off
held up in touch, mistake 3rd, weakened after 7th
The principals looks to be Patman du Charmil, Lorna Dune, Fu Manchu and Bold Promise, with the vote going to the first-named. Patman du Charmil showed enough in two French runs to be rated a player here on his British debut in what looks a run-of-the-mill contest. Lorna Dune won a seller rated 60 on the Flat and she showed enough behind Kristinor at Ludlow last time to be afforded a chance here. Bold Pursuit showed some promise at Wetherby last time, while Dizzy Future achieved a rating of 60 on the Flat. Dusty Dane was of a similar level, while Fu Manchu's Stratford third two runs ago affords him respect, although he disappointed last time. In the hands of Thomas Tate, it would be no surprise to see Gardasee improve on his Flat promise, while Lankawi is well-bred but has shown little on the Flat to date. Mount Ephram is a Wolverhampton winner, rated around the 60 mark, and, finally, Verstone has shown some form over hurdles but, overall, along with the remainder, improvement is needed to feature based on what we know. The vote, then, once again, goes to Patman du Charmil.
Bold Pursuit (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway aproaching 3 out, one pace when blundered next, no impression, 7th of 22, 18l behind The Pen (9-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Always in touch, chased leaders from 4 out, weakening when stumbled last, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Vale de Lobo (10-3) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Fu Manchu 4-1 (10-10) Always well behind, 9th of 16, well behind Vale de Lobo (10-3) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Gardasee (GER) 10-1 (8-2) Tracked leader, pushed along over 5f out, weakening when hampered over 2f out, 11th of 16, 45l behind Nowaday (8-7) at Beverley 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul (Flat).
Patman Du Charmil (FR) (10-1) 4th of 9, 7l behind Sunny Winner (10-3) at Auteuil 1m 7f hdl hvy in Apr.
Taj India (USA) 17-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, edged left 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Walkonthewildside (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (D2) gf in Sept '04 (Flat).
Lorna Dune 40-1 (10-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 7l behind Kristinor (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (E) gf.
Verstone (IRE) 2-1fav (10-5) Keen, chased winner, wandered approaching 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Etoile Russe (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Sept.
