held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, headway next, went 2nd 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well
mid-division, soon pushed along, mistake 8th, soon well beaten, not fluent 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent and went 2nd 3rd, led after 3 out, went left 2 out and last, soon headed, one pace
held up in rear, not always fluent, behind when mistake 4 out
led, not fluent 2nd or 7th, ridden when not fluent 3 out, soon headed and beaten, lost 3rd towards finish
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, no impression 2 out, stayed on final 150 yards, went 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, mistake 4th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader until 3rd, lost place 4th, not fluent and ridden next, behind when mistake 8th
Nonrunner
The first division of this handicap is probably a bit more competitive than the one that follows, but not by much. Phar Away Island has gone up 7lb since scoring at Uttoxeter in May but Killian Moore's claim will aid his cause again. Newton Abbot fourth Downtown Manhattan remains capable of better while Lygon Legend was returning from a four-year break when third at Uttoxeter. Fast ground clearly suits Watchmetail and he should be thereabouts again, despite a rising mark. STATE DEPARTMENT was just behind Watchmetail at Fontwell last month and re-opposes on identical terms. But he looks the more progressive and can come out on top today.
Lisheen Hill (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, lost place next, hit 6th, headway next, struggling 12th, well behind 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Market Option (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Fortification (USA) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, slightly lost place 6th, pushed along and hit 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind and no chance when mistake final 2, tailed off, 6th of 10, 41l behind Silent Knight (10-13) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Lygon Legend 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 4th (normal 7th), every chance bypassing omitted 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Mr Maynard (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Banks Road (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, hung right and every chance flat, no extra and lost close home, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Transfer (11-10) at Worcester 2m 7f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Downtown Manhattan (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Not fluent, chased leaders, not fluent and ridden 6th, 2nd 4 out, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened and no chance with leading duo, lost 3rd in closing stages, 4th of 10, 25l behind Detour Ahead (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Nishay (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, well behind Shinooki (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in May.
Phar Away Island (IRE) 9-2fav (9-13) Mid-division, hit 6th, headway after 8th, challenged last, soon went left and led, drawing away towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May beating Mist The Boat (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Watchmetail (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, headway after 3 out, every chance towards finish, no impression close home, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Nether Stream (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in Jun.
Champion Versions (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) (cp) ap; chsd wnr app 2 out; no imp, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Soupcon D'albain (12-0) at Grafton 3m ptp gf in May.
State Department 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd after 7th, not fluent next, led when hit 2 out, rider dropped whip flat, headed towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Nether Stream (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in Jun.
