led to 9th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, struggling after 11th
chased leader until not fluent 3rd, went 2nd again after 4th, led 9th to 11th, 2 lengths down when mistake last, soon lost 2nd and no extra
in touch, niggled along from 6th, reminder after next, weakened 3 out
held up and behind, not fluent 8th, headway from 3 out, 9 lengths down in 3rd 2 out, slightly hampered last, ran on well to lead last strides
chased leaders until after 11th
always prominent, went 2nd to 3rd until after next, led 11th, shaken up after 3 out, ridden flat, headed last strides
held up, struggling when mistake 4 out
mid-division, niggled along and lost several places after 9th, stayed on from 3 out, never nearer
held up, progress 11th, beaten after next
Nonrunner
Donovan gets a speculative vote over Lusaka De Pembo and Johnston's Swallow, with Jolejoker included in calculations as well. Donovan was given a fine ride by Timmy Murphy at Cartmel last month, being taken wide throughout before appearing late on the scene to score. That was on softer ground than today's, but he does handle faster underfoot conditions, and although hit with a 9lb rise, can pay to follow again over this slightly longer trip. Lusaka De Pembo was fully expected to oblige at Stratford, having been well backed, and although he carries a 7lb penalty, is seen as the main danger. Johnston's Swallow has crept back up the weights, but is still reasonably treated given that he was rated 113 last year, and Jolejoker will strip fitter for his third run of the campaign, but is one to take on. With Timmy Murphy on board again, Donovan looks the pick.
Millenium Mag (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Prominent until after 4th, soon behind, 7th of 9, well behind Classi Maureen (9-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Jolejoker 4-1 (10-6) Towards rear, ridden and headway 9th, chased leader 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 26l behind Lord Ryeford (10-13) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul.
Beluga (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 12th until weakened 14th, left poor 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 6, well behind Poppy Maroon (10-4) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Alina Rheinberg (GER) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place after 6th, weakened 7th, 5th of 11, 24l behind Dyneburg (11-8) at N Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gf in Jul.
Rash Moment (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 12th, weakened 14th, well behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Beauchamp Prince (10-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr, 12 ran.
Donovan (NZ) 15-2 (11-6) Towards rear,headway and raced wide approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jul beating Star Galaxy (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Johnston's Swallow (IRE) 10-3fav (11-11) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, challenging for 2nd when mistake 4 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 29l behind Just Muckin Around (10-7) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jul.
Lusaka De Pembo (FR) 7-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead approaching 3 out, ridden next, kept on run-in, won at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Reasonably Sure (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Friendly Request 6-1 (10-8) Held up, keen, headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 12l behind Wotashambles (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jul.
Even Flo 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden and effort 4 out, weakened 3 out, blundered last, 8th of 12, 42l behind Millards Lad (10-8) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Pure Brief (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 8th, 9th of 13, well behind In Extra Time (11-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jul.
Roussea (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) In touch, behind from 8th, 7th of 17, well behind Longstone Boy (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in May.
