chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
behind, ridden and headway 7th, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden over 2 out, weakened run-in
held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up, headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on
was always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed after last, edged left run-in, no extra
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, chased leader approaching 2 out, one pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, soon struggling
held up towards rear, ridden 7th, soon struggling
held up, smooth headway approaching 2 out, shaken up to lead after last, kept on well
held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
The Paul Nicholls-trained Oslot is less exposed than most of these and has to be respected on his reappearance but may want a stiffer test of stamina than this and preference is for French Saulaie, who gets the vote over Leslingtaylor. The last mentioned has the benefit of having already had a couple of recent runs on the level that should have put him absolute spot on for this so he has to be respected but he may struggle to get the better of the selection again on the revised terms from when the pair met last term. City Affair has shown progressive form but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper, while Coat of Honour may struggle to give weight away all round. This looks tougher for Country Escape than the race that he won at Bangor last time, while the 6lb penalty may anchor recent Uttoxeter scorer Pigeon Island. French Saulaie showed progressive form last term though, remains open to further improvement and is taken to reverse May's running here with Leslingtaylor.
Coat of Honour (USA) 28-1 (10-5) In rear, hampered 5th, ridden 10th, never reach challenging position, 10th of 23, 21l behind Andreas (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
French Saulaie (FR) 7-1 (10-6) Held up, hampered 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 23, 1 1/2l behind Leslingtaylor (9-11) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Oslot (FR) 9-1 (11-3) In touch, headway after 3 out, joined leader 2 out, led between last 2, in command last, driven out flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr beating Chilling Place (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Chivalry 14-1 (11-7) In touch, headway on outside after 4 out, led next, ridden and headed between last two, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 17l behind Accordello (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) In touch, hampered 4 out, ridden to lead flat, ran on well, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May beating French Saulaie (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 23 ran.
Silver Charmer 10-1 (10-4) Held up, weakened 8th, 8th of 19, 18l behind Abragante (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Eleazar (GER) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led and left clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May beating Tora Petcha (10-13) by 10l, 9 ran.
Decisive 10-1 (11-6) Held until 2nd, led again approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well under pressure, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Master Nimbus (10-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sharp Reply (USA) 11-2 (11-7) Prominent, headway 3 out, led before next, soon ridden, stayed on flat, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr beating Khasab (10-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Prince Ary 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led 6th, ridden when hit 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Country Escape (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.
Slew Charm (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden and struggling when mistake 3 out, 11th of 17, 40l behind Oslot (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway 6th, hampered and lost place 3 out, chance when fell 2 out in race won by Sonnyanjoe (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf, 18 ran.
City Affair 5-2 (12-3) Held up, mistake 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, headway and chased leader 2 out, hard ridden last, battled on gamely to lead close home, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug beating Harcourt (11-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Country Escape 11-2 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, not fluent last, ridden out flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf beating Dishdasha (11-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Pigeon Island 4-1jt-fav (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 6th, led on bit flat, hard held, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Mandingo Chief (10-1) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Cannon Fire (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Towards rear, headway approaching 6th, mistake 9th, no impression from 4 out, 5th of 11, 20l behind Incas (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jul.
Dune Raider (USA) 3-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden 8th, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 24l behind Dyneburg (11-8) at N Abbot 2m beg chs (5) gf in Jul.
