held up, ridden approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching next, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, no impression from next
always towards rear
close up, led approaching 2 out, soon headed and weakened
in touch on outer, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon weakened
close up, ridden and lost place approaching 5th
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off
always towards rear
held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon headway, kept on same pace
tracked leaders and keen, chased winner from 2 out, one pace
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Sporazene sets a good standard; while Katies Tutor, De Soto and Bureaucrat are also likely to be leading candidates for the major honours in the Listed contest. Bureaucrat has paid his way under both codes and reverts to hurdling after a successful raid on the Flat at Epsom on Derby Day. However, he is now on a career highest mark and needs everything to go his way. De Soto was useful for Paul Webber a couple of seasons ago, before injury ruled him out for over a year. Now with a new yard and with the application of a visor for the first time, De Soto will be a big threat if he can recapture any of his old sparkle. Tony McCoy's assistance from the saddle is an obvious plus but he does need to show a lot more than he did on his reappearance in May. The switch back to hurdling is in his favour but he has too many questions to answer to be a confident selection. Katies Tutor rounded off last season in grand style - comfortably winning a competitive handicap at Cheltenham in April. He now has a 7lb higher mark to contend with but cannot be discounted with the ground in his favour. Advancement, who has won his last three starts in good style, is another to bear in mind, as he scrapes in off bottom weight. He has been progressive over hurdles but now faces the stiffest test of his career. And indeed a truly classy performer in the shape of Sporazene, who is already a dual Grade 1 winner over timber. Paul Nicholls' charge confirmed his well being when breezing around Newton Abbot to score as he liked a month ago. Despite the handicapper allotting him a 10lb rise for that success, Sporazene is still a feasible winner off a mark of 145 and is likely to make a bold bid to follow up in this company.
Sporazene (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Close up, led on bit after 3 out, clear when hit next, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun beating Cold Mountain (10-7) by 16l, 9 ran.
De Soto 10-3 (11-0) Prominent, weakening in 3rd when hit 4 out, mistake 3 out, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 9, well behind Strong Weld (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in May.
Katies Tuitor 11-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 21st of 24, 43l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
O'Toole (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in 4th, weakened 4 out, jumped right 2 out, 4th of 8, 15l behind Lord Jay Jay (11-7) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Eye Candy (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) Held up in rear, 4th after 4 out, ridden 3 out, kept on to moderate 3rd before 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Dbest (11-12) at Cork 2m 1f hcp chs gf in Jun.
Swordsman (GER) Evensfav (11-6) Not fluent, tracked leaders, led, jumped left 5th, not fluent next, headed before 3 out, soon ridden, beaten, 2nd of 9, 12l behind How's Business (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Moon Star (GER) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd when awkward next, held from 2 out, mistake last, lost 2 places flat, 4th of 7, 15l behind I'm So Lucky (11-4) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gd in Jun.
Lord Baskerville 12-1 (11-6) Took keen hold in touch, ridden after 7th, weakening approaching last, 4th of 9, 24l behind Pocket Too (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, weakened from 8th, 4th of 6, 33l behind Seymour Weld (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jun.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 5th, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Nanga Parbat (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jun.
Tranos (USA) 12-1 (10-4) In touch, shaken up to lead 2 out, soon driven clear, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf beating Front Rank (10-6) by 11l, 14 ran.
Wizard of Us 20-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden to lead flat, ran on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jun beating Film Festival (10-6) by 6l, 11 ran.
Its Moon (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) Held up, never near leaders, 9th of 20, 12l behind Mous Of Men (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Chaninbar (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leading pair, led after 5th, quickened next, clear when not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-4) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Advancement 11-8fav (11-12) Made all, asserted after 2 out, ran on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs beating Glann Boy (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Bureaucrat 8-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, led approaching last, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May beating Templer (11-3) by 6l, 12 ran.
Is It Me (USA) 16-1 (10-4) Led, clear until pushed along 5th, soon headed, hit 6th, weakened approaching next, last of 4, well behind Katchit (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
