raced keenly, led until 1st, led 5th, headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, closed when not fluent 4 out, every chance 2 out, 3rd and no impression on winner flat
led 1st until not fluent 5th, led 2 out, quickened clear flat
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 3rd, outpaced before 3 out, well held 2 out
always in rear, not fluent 4 out, well beaten 3 out
chased leaders on inside, took keen hold, closed 3rd, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
Retrospect has had wind surgery since a second at Huntingdon in May. First Soldier could figure if fully wound-up but LIGHT N STRIKE (NAP) has placed three times over hurdles and the winning chaser can make a successful return to the smaller obstacles ahead of penalised course and distance winner Nibras Gold.
Nibras Gold (IRE) 11-10fav (10-13) Chased leaders out wide, led going well before 3 out, soon clear, went left 2 out and last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Maxcel (11-4) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
First Soldier (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Close up, ridden 2 out, headway to chase clear winner last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Diocletian (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Light N Strike (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) In rear, rider lost iron after 7th, minor headway under pressure 3 out, weakned last, 7th of 14, 27 1/4l behind Francky Du Berlais (12-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Jul.
Retrospect (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, blundered 3 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Awesomedude (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gd in May.
Illico De Moutiers (FR) 18-1 (10-13) Off the pace in last pair, outpaced and struggling in rear after 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Alioski (11-4) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Universal Island 40-1 (10-11) Held up off the pace in 6th, outpaced before 3 out, ridden in well held 5th when left remote 4th next, 4th of 9, 27 1/2l behind Haloa Mail (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Jul.
