chased leaders, led after 2 out, edged right flat, stayed on well
held up towards rear, took keen hold, closed 4th, no impression before 2 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, 2nd after 4th, led 7th, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat
jinked left start, chased leader until after 4th, ridden and 2nd again 3 out, hung left and every chance after 2 out, switched right flat, no impression towards finish
held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, no impression on leaders next, plugged into 3rd flat
held up, some headway after 3 out, no impression, went modest 4th flat
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, struggling next, behind 3 out
led, clear until after 2nd, mistake and headed 7th, weakened before 2 out
A tricky opener, though the bottom three will all be carrying more than their allotted weight not taking into account riders' claims. Course winner Shalianzi is looking well treated but is still out of form. RED ORATOR has only managed one place so far in five hurdle runs but that was last time at Stratford and this formerly useful Flat stayer may enjoy a fitness advantage over fellow maiden Full Blast, having his first start since January. Watchmetail has had plenty of chances.
Red Orator 4-1fav (11-12) In rear, hit 4th, headway to chase leading pair 4 out, ridden to chase clear winner when blundered last, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Derrychrin (11-8) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Full Blast (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Held up, always behind, 9th of 13, 37 3/4l behind Debdebdeb (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Quench Tara 25-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 13 1/2l behind Violoniste (12-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Shalianzi (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Held up in 4th, effort 6f out, pushed along 4f out, one pace over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out, 4th of 5, 14 1/4l behind Leoncavallo (9-3) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Sinour (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Behind in well strung out field, mistake 2nd, well adrift 3 out, 5th of 8, 31 3/4l behind Collodi (11-0) at Stratford 2m (5) gd in Jul.
Watchmetail (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, outpaced by leaders after next, plugged on from 2 out, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 10, 13 1/4l behind Westend Prince (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Al Guwair (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Towards rear, struggling after 7th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in May.
Appropriate (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 15, 25l behind Aaman (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
