held up, hit 5th, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat
held up in touch, led approaching 12th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, virtually pulled up towards finished, dismounted
chased leader, not fluent 5th, led 8th, headed approaching 12th, led again before 4 out, ridden approaching last, ran on
led until 8th, remained prominent, ridden approaching last, ran on
Nonrunner
Sungates can land his hat-trick at the expense of Music To My Ears and Aston. Evan Williams has his team of horses in fantastic form at present and Sungates is making hay while the sun shines winning at Hereford and Southwell. He was a horse going in the wrong direction until with his new yard and since then has been transformed. The handicapper will eventually get a grip on him but for now he is worth siding with once more. Music To My Ears will have his supporters as he has run some fine races in defeat this season but he has almost become frustrating and the fact that he has been a beaten favourite in the past means he is not the most reliable so is to be treated with caution. Aston on the other hand showed great promise when finishing second to He¿s The Biz over course and distance last time out and if back to his best could give the selection a worry but we still feel Sungates will gain the upper hand.
Sungates (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 13th, close 2nd and challenging when left in lead 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf beating Lambrini Bianco (10-3) by 8l, 13 ran.
Penthouse Minstrel 14-1 (10-11) In touch, headway to chase leaders 14th, gradually weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lord Anner (10-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Caribbean Cove (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Behind, headway 7th, weakened 9th, 4th of 11, 24l behind Mill Bank (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Aston (USA) 16-1 (10-11) Led to 3rd, stayed prominent, ridden and switched left approaching 3 out, chased winner last, kept on, 2nd of 16, 2l behind He's The Biz (10-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Music To My Ears (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-11) Prominent, hit 4th, driven and outpaced after 11th, challenged for remote 2nd from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Barren Lands (10-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Infini (FR) 25-1 (9-12) Led hit 7th, headed 15th, weakened next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Sir Frosty (9-11) at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in May, 11 ran.
