chased leaders, not fluent 5th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and headway after 8th, weakening when hit last
held up towards rear, hit 5th, headway next, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, pulled hard, mistake 2nd, headway 4th, led 6th, headed after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leader, led after 5th, headed next, not fluent 7th or 8th, soon led again, headed approaching 2 out, one pace
in rear, not fluent 5th, headway after 8th, went 2nd last, kept on
in rear, pushed along 5th, weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, hit 2 out, all out
held up, headway approaching 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led until after 5th, weakened next, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
FACTOTUM, Shiwawa and Sheshali are the three form horses in this race and the first named is taken to land it. Factotum bids for a hat-trick after landing victories at Uttoxeter and Worcester. This is his first run in a handicap and with a rating of 122 he could be potentially well treated. He showed true grit and determination when battling to land the latest of his races and is given the vote to win again. Shiwawa was good enough to win with a double penalty when scoring over course and distance on his latest success, a feat that is rarely accomplished. Sheshali is now six pounds higher in the ratings after winning off a mark of 124 at Southwell last time out. Evan Williams has his team of horses in good form right now but the handicapper may have him where he wants him and with top weight to carry life will be tough. This is a tough race to call, but Factotum looks an improver and is given the vote.
Stellenbosch (USA) 3-1fav (11-0) In touch, effort after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 10, 8l behind Royal Rationale (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Shiwawa 7-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, mistake last, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf beating Little Lord West (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Factotum 5-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden 2 out, challenged and all out from last, won at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Vacario (11-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Picaroon 7-2fav (11-12) Led, hit 1st, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed well before last, no extra flat, 4th of 16, 6l behind Awesome George (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Last Flight (IRE) 9-2fav (9-9) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, hard ridden to lead flat (new course record), won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun beating Raslan (10-7) by nk, 12 ran.
Tension Point 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hampered and unseated rider bend after 3rd, in a race won by Viper (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Dec, 15 ran.
Overstrand (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, hard ridden 3 out, effort approaching next, soon one pace, 7th of 17, 9l behind Elaala (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
English City (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, kept on same pace from last, 5th of 9, 5l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Falpiase (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, driven to lead near line, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec beating Pheidias (11-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Wun Chai (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 4th until approaching 11th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, 38l behind Knighton Combe (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Sheshali (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Held up, smooth headway 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (5) gd in Jun beating Corkage (11-10) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Ricardo's Chance 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hit 7th, headway when not much room after 10th, weakened under pressure last, 6th of 15, 17l behind Simple Glory (10-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jun.
