held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 4th, headway 6th, every chance 2 out to last, soon outpaced by winner
in touch, lost place 5th, no real threat after, weakened last
tracked leader, pushed along after 6th, ridden to lead after next, headed last, weakened flat
held up in rear, pecked 1st, headway 6th, lost place after next, stayed on to take 4th on extended flat, no danger
pulled hard, tracked leaders, led last, drew clear flat, easily
led until after 7th, weakened last
STAR OF GERMANY can take this at the expense of Mango Catcher and Good Company. Connections will be keen that the rain stays away for the nine-year-old but he ran a solid race at Uttoxeter over chase fences before disappointing somewhat over hurdles next time around. He has won in a small size field so there is lots to like tonight. Mango Catcher has been a credit to fledgling handler, Rebecca Curtis. He seems to appreciate this track and the drop in trip should not prove to be much of a problem. Good Company is sure to be popular with the champion jockey aboard. An easy winner off a mark of 124 at Haydock, he has no easy task off 135 on this occasion. Supply and Fix is no stranger to racing on this side of the Irish Sea though had shown very little of late until making a bold bid at Wexford last time out. Warpath was once useful and is best watched at present. Comments that equally apply to Phar Again. Plenty of imponderables and Star Of Germany rates the percentage call.
Good Company (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Held up, effort and headway 3 out, 3rd last, faded, 5th of 8, 30l behind Lorient Express (10-5) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Mango Catcher (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3rd, fell 4th, in a race won by Histoire De Moeurs (9-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd, 11 ran.
Warpath (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led until approaching 5th, remained prominent, not fluent 7th, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 13, 17l behind Nostringsattached (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Phar Again (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) In touch, raced keenly, weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by King Ozzy (11-3) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd, 12 ran.
Star of Germany (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Held up in rear, pushed along after 5th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 14, 5l behind Priest Field (10-11) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Supply And Fix (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led, clear before 5 out, reduced advantage after 2 out, ridden and challenged last where pecked, soon headed and no extra run-in, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Angels' Share (10-13) at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-102.
