prominent, led 2nd, headed 4 out, weakened after next
always in last, weakened 4 out
held up in last pair, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, effort approaching last, never a threat
chased leaders, every chance after 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last
led until 2nd, remained prominent, led again 4 out, soon pressed, hard ridden last, ran on well
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, kept on, never able to challenge
Knight Of Noir won this 12 months ago and is a pound lower, though was last of nine behind Theatrebar here at the start of the month and is only 5lb better off. Rolling Maul was also unplaced in that race but won this in 2016 and did better at Ffos Las last week so may be rediscovering his form. Scoop The Pot won twice over course and distance last year but hasn’t raced since last of three over fences at Huntingdon in November and remains on a career-high mark. SKY PIRATE made a promising reappearance last month at Aintree and will strip fitter here. A winner here on his debut under Rules, he’s only raced three times since so still has plenty of scope. Nautical Nitwit is more exposed and facing a stiff task at the weights.
Knight Of Noir (IRE) 16-1 (12-4) Soon led, headed 3 out, soon lost place, last of 9, 17 3/4l behind Theatrebar (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Nautical Nitwit (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake and well behind 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 15, 19 1/4l behind Culture De Sivola (10-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Scoop The Pot (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Close up in 3rd, closed 3 out, ridden when not fluent next, soon weakened, last of 3, 16l behind Cyrname (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Theatrebar 5-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway before 4 out, chased leaders next, led 2 out, challenged after last, held on gamely, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Will O'The West (10-12) by hd, 9 ran.
Sky Pirate 8-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway after 4 out, hampered before last, no chance with winner and went 2nd flat, kept on, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Black Sam Bella (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Rolling Maul (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, outpaced before omitted 3 out, stayed on before omitted last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Marble Moon (10-1) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
