held up, pecked slightly 6th, headway 4 out, challenged going well 2 out, not fluent last, soon ridden, ran on to lead post
led, jumped left 3rd, headed after 4th, not fluent 8th, weakened 3 out
pushed along start, pressed leader, led after 4th, ridden after 7th, headed 3 out, no extra after next
held up, took keen hold, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 2 out, no extra flat
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, not fluent 8th, went 2nd before 4 out, led 3 out, driven flat, headed post
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until before 4 out, no extra 2 out
The handicapper has done recent hurdles winner Rajnagan no favours on his chasing debut while this may be too tough for Newton Abbot specialist Dean's Grange, who is now on a career-high mark over fences. Bhaltair was put up 9lb after winning at Aintree while Trooper Clarence still looks too high in the weights and Soulard's best form is over a lot further. TEMPLE LORD finished behind Dean's Grange when well backed last time but wasn't suited by that sharp track. He's 7lb better off here and can reverse the placings and land this under McCoy.
Rajnagan (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd beating Marchand D'argent (10-1) by 1l, 12 ran.
Trooper Clarence 14-1 (11-3) With leader until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Solaras Exhibition (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl (2) gs.
Soulard (USA) 14-1 (11-12) Led, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, weakened between last 2, 4th of 10, 19l behind The Fonz (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Bhaltair (IRE) 11-8fav (10-11) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, headway to chllange on inside after 4 out, led after next, ridden clear after next, very easily, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Grand Lahou (11-12) by 11l, 4 ran.
Temple Lord (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up, no impression and ridden 8th, stayed on to take 4th 2 out, never in contention, 4th of 9, 12l behind Dean's Grange (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Dean's Grange 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led next, 3 lengths clear last, held on, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May beating Mister Matt (11-5) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
