tracked leaders, went 2nd before 6th, reminder after 12th, 3 lengths down when left in lead and hampered 4 out, soon headed, led again just after next, idled before last, headed flat, rallied to join leader post
held up, pecked 8th, slipped slightly on bend before next, challengong for 2nd 4 out, soon led, blundered and headed next, no extra last
tracked leaders, mistake 4th and 5th, lost place 10th, rallied before last, no impression on leaders
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, hit 7th, not fluent 12th, mistake and well beaten next, mistake 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 2nd, lost place 5th, headway 12th, left 3rd 4 out, not fluent and rallied from 2 out, every chance flat, held towards finish
soon led, not fluent 1st, 3 lengths clear when slipped and fell 4 out
led early, chased leader, blundered 4th, lost 2nd before 6th, outpaced 11th, rallied 2 out, led flat, joined by rival post
Nonrunner
Al Alfa won on his reappearance at Stratford but he's unproven on ground this fast. Jump City has plenty of weight on his return to action but hasn't done a lot wrong so far over the larger obstacles while Dorset Naga was due to run at Wetherby yesterday. Stablemate VELATOR could be a useful stand-in, however, with his comfortable defeat of Carrigmorna King and Henry San over track and trip in April looking smart form. He'd gone over the top when pulled up in a race in which Barlow finished third here in May and is worth following this season. Shuil Royale continues to frustrate but has ability and looks the pick of the remainder ahead of Cardigan Island and the exposed Dark Energy.
Jump City (FR) Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace from last, 3rd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Rody (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Apr.
Velator 5-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 16th, outpaced after 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Seven Woods (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs in May, 4 ran.
Dark Energy 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 6th, headed after 8th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 5, 27l behind Double Ross (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Sep.
Shuil Royale (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Chased leader until after 2nd, went 2nd again 6th, hit 13th, blundered and lost 2nd 4 out, chased leading pair until before next, stayed on same pace in 4th, 4th of 10, 18l behind No Loose Change (11-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Cardigan Island (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 4th, headway before 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 9l behind On The Bridge (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jul.
Al Alfa 11-10fav (11-9) Made all, not fluent last, driven out, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sep beating Academy General (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Goring One (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 1st and jumped slightly left, headed 3rd, soon towards rear, in rear 10th, not fluent 15th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Milans Well (10-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Barlow (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Jumped slightly left at times, led, not fluent 3rd, mistake 16th, headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Seven Woods (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs in May.
Dorset Naga 2-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on strongly, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Synthe Davis (11-10) by 5l, 8 ran.
