prominent chasing group, effort 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
led, blundered 1st, clear to 3 out, ridden and headed before next, soon weakened
prominent chasing group, lost place 5th, no danger after
behind, headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, kept on, no impression flat
mid-division, effort when blundered 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
held up, headway 3 out, led next, ridden last, kept on until headed, no extra near finish
mid-division, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
prominent chasing group, headway 3 out, led briefly before next, soon ridden, rallied flat, led again near finish
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
English City is the selection with Oniz Tiptoes and Wild Tonto likely to give him most to do. Lucy Normile's charge goes from strength to strength and having had a warm up on the level, he should come into this hat-trick bid in good order. Oniz Tiptoes is a far better chaser than hurdler. That said, he has been rated accordingly by the assessor. Wild Tonto proved inconsistent for previous connections but Tim Vaughan seemed to find the key to him and he could be well handicapped on old form. Bathwick Breeze could be a danger to all if escaping off a soft lead. Sultan Fontenaille is out of sorts at present. Cee Cee Rider stays forever but can be errant so Robert Thornton cannot afford to loosen his grip at any stage. Markington returns to hurdles after a lean spell on the flat. English City gets the nod.
English City (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun beating Ursis (11-5) by 3l, 8 ran.
Bathwick Breeze 11-1 (11-3) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Jam Packed (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jul.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 22-1 (11-12) Mid-division, jumped left 2nd, lost place after 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Annie Fleetwood (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd, 10 ran.
Herakles (GER) 20-1 (11-5) Behind, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, well behind Heir To Be (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Cee Cee Rider 7-2fav (10-13) Held up, headway 6th, shaken up to lead 2 out, ridden clear last, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul beating Nayodabayo (11-11) by 7l, 9 ran.
Wild Tonto (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up, headway 7th, hampered 3 out, led after 2 out, ran on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jul beating Native City (10-13) by 3l, 12 ran.
Phone In 14-1 (11-2) In rear, effort approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 11, 15l behind Kilcannon Supreme (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jul.
Markington 9-1 (11-4) Prominent, hit 2nd, lost place 7th, weakened next, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Cava Bien (11-4) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Apr.
Cottam Grange 33-1 (10-6) Always behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Mr Shambles (9-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, outpaced 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 18l behind Water Taxi (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Ballyjohnboy Lord (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) In rear, mistake 10th, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 29l behind Cee Cee Rider (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul.
