chased leaders, led before 2 out, strongly challenged last, hard ridden, all out
chased leaders, jumped right throughout, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
mistake 1st, behind, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on under pressure
pulled hard in rear, headway when not fluent 2 out, never on terms
held up, headway 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, weakened 3 out
led, keen, jumped right throughout, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
in rear when jumped right and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leader, ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, took closer order halfway, chased leaders after 4 out, weakened last
mid-division, keen, headway to chase leaders 3rd, effort before 2 out, weakened last
held up in rear, under pressure 3 out, never a factor
It took Aardwolf seven attempts to get off the mark over hurdles so he might not be an obvious candidate to defy a penalty, though this looks a fairly uncompetitive novice event. Winning pointer Equus Pandora is interesting, however, as he’ll have learned plenty from his run in a bumper at Aintree. EZANAK won on the Flat for Dermot Weld and came up against an above-average four-year-old at Southwell on his hurdles bow. Any improvement on that will make Dan Skelton’s charge tough to beat.
Aardwolf (USA) 9-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd between last 2, ridden and stayed on to lead approaching last, ran on flat, won at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jun beating Jamacho (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Another Drama (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) Jmpd rt; prsd ldr 5 til lft in ld 2 out; r.o wl, won at Lower Machen 3m mdn gd in May beating Long Mile Road (12-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Banish (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 14, dist behind Aardwolf (10-9) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jun.
Ezanak (IRE) 6-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 2nd (normally 4th), every chance 2 out, outpaced by winner when mistake last, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Je Suis Charlie (10-9) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Gaucho 33-1 (10-12) Jumped right, led 1st, headed 3 out, lost 2nd on long run and weakening when hampered next, 6th of 13, 31 1/4l behind Telegraph Place (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in May.
Golden Friday (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Fell 1st, at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in May.
Laughing Musketeer (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Held up, struggling form 5th, tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Bedrock (10-9) at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gs in May.
Well Said (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) (h) led 4-12; wknd app 2 out, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Joey Kangaroo (12-0) at Edgcote 2m 5f gs in Jun.
Equus Pandora (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, one pace over 1f out, 7th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Rob The Getaway (11-12) at Aintree 2m 1f (3) gd in May.
Aine's Choice (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, lost 2nd after 6th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Ilewin Geez (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Darlyn 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, followed loose horse and ran out 4th, at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gf in Jun.
Just For Tara 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division on outside, jumped right 5th, headway after 4 out, one pace from next, 5th of 11, 17 1/2l behind Mac Tottie (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Lamh Ar Lamh (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Empreinte Reconce (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gd in Jun.