chased leaders, challenging in 2nd when not much room on inside 2 out, led last, soon ridden, headed and not pace of winner run-in, lost 2nd close home
raced wide, chased leaders, 2nd at 7th, led next until 11th, chased leader, every chance until mistake and lost 2nd 2 out, chased leaders, and still well there last, weakened run-in
chased leaders, mistake 9th, badly outpaced after 12th, rallied 2 out, driven before last, ridden to lead and quickened clear run-in
led until 8th, led again 11th, jumped left and not fluent 2 out, ridden and headed last, rallied run-in, went 2nd close home, never going pace of winner
struggling in rear after 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 4 out
held up in touch in last pair, headway chasing leaders after 12th, every chance on outside when not fluent 2 out, weakened run-in
NonRunner
Recent point-to-point winner Cut The Corner is racing under Rules for the first time in almost a year and will surely struggle under top weight while Midnight Monty lost his way over fences last year. But Bertie Lugg was in good form at Towcester in May and Dr Robin will have benefited from a fourth here last month. Dawnieriver won at Southwell in March but has barely raised a gallop since so this may chiefly concern dual course winner Clubs Are Trumps, a close second over track and trip last time, and PRETTYLITTLETHING. Neil Mulholland’s mare is just preferred as she easily went clear over 2m5f at Newton Abbot on her second start following a break and stays this longer trip.
Cut The Corner (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Hdwy 6; led 14; clr 3 out; easy, won at Kingston Blount 3m gd in May beating Rossmore Lad (11-0) by 20l, 6 ran.
Billy Two Tongues 11-4 (11-5) Held up, in touch, reminders after 13th, soon struggling, weakened 3 out, pulled up next, at Stratford 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Dr Robin (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway to lead after 8th, headed next, stayed handy, strong challenge from 5 out until before last, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Get Involved (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Midnight Monty 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 7 1/4l behind The Happy Chappy (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
Bertie Lugg 15-2 (11-12) Always prominent, 2nd 11th, not fluent next, went right 13th, hit 3 out, led before next, slight lead when went right last, hung left under pressure run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Vice Et Vertu (11-11) at Towcester 3m hcp (4) gs in May.
Clubs Are Trumps (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 9th, driven and headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Get Involved (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Prettylittlething (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, went 3rd from 6th, led before 2 out, soon clear, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Butlergrove King (11-4) by 8l, 7 ran.
Dawnieriver (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, effort before 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th and beaten last, last of 4, 22 1/2l behind Minella Tweet (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (4) gf in May.
