held up towards rear, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, in 7th and weakening when blundered last, virtually pulled up flat
in touch, outpaced from last
in touch, headway from 4 out, led last, stayed on well flat
chased leader, challenged 4 out, one pace approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, kept on, no chance with winner
held up in rear, not fluent, ridden approaching 4 out, outpaced from 2 out
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed next, outpaced from last
Commanche Topgun can take the scalps of these rivals under the guidance of McCoy whilst Za Beau and Red Dawn would appear to have a chance on their recent form. The selection was well backed and well beaten here in May when his chance wasn't helped by some shoddy jumping. There is a chance that this faster ground will be more to his liking and this race is certainly no stronger than the last one he contested. He's worth another chance. Za Beau has yet to excel in her three starts over fences but she ran a fair race over the smaller obstacles last time and is unexposed. Jim Goldie's horses are running well and it would be no surprise to see her feature. Red Dawn is a longstanding maiden but it would be no surprise to see him notch another place in this company with a number of the remainder having plenty to prove. Flinders Bay and Harry May can't be ruled out with complete confidence but it will be disappointing if Commanche Topgun can't fly home here.
Flinders Bay (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mistakes, mid-division, behind after 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Yellow Flag (10-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 15 ran.
Commanche Topgun (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) In touch, led before 7th, headed after last, soon outpaced, weakened and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 32l behind Stand On Me (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in May.
Earl Sigurd (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, lost touch from halfway, 6th of 7, 44l behind Premier Dane (10-12) at Perth 2m nov chs (4) gf.
Za Beau (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway from 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Present (10-10) at Perth 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (4) gf.
Red Dawn (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) Prominent, led 7th until approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 12, 7l behind Ballybough Jack (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Harry May 11-1 (10-7) Held up, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Ravenscar (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Government (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 10th of 15, 40l behind Southern Regent (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Barneys Luck (IRE) 28-1 (9-12) Chased leader to 10th, soon behind, 10th of 13, well behind Mistral De La Cour (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Jun.
