always towards rear, driven and struggling 4 out, tailed off
jumped right and big at some flights, led until narrowly headed 7th, stayed pressing winner until after 3 out, weakened between last 2
towards rear, headway to mid-division 5th, well in touch 8th, weakened soon after next, behind and pulled up before 3 out
chased leading trio, went 3rd 6th, ridden to challenge 3 out, stayed well there under pressure until weakened between last 2
raced wide, hit 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 7th, hit 4 out, joined 3 out, strongly pressed 2 out, hard ridden and stayed on gamely from last
in touch, headway after 4 out, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and dropped to 3rd, weakened to 4th final 100 yards
in touch to 5th, soon lost place and in rear, tailed off 4 out
behind, ridden along 6th, injured and fell after 4 out
mid-division, headway after 4 out, chased leaders and hit 3 out, stayed on well before last, went 3rd final 100 yards
raced on inside, held up in rear, ridden and headway 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, just about upsides and every chance last, weakened flat
chased leader, hit 3rd, lost 2nd 5th, chased leaders until hit 7th and weakened soon after
raced wide, held up in rear, headway before 4 out, ridden and chased leaders when stumbled badly 3 out, weakened and beaten when blundered next, tailed off
Nonrunner
A case can be made for almost every runner. Philip Hobbs has won two of the last three renewals and Mostly Bob would appear to be the first string ahead of Estates Recovery and has a tongue tie on for the first time but his stablemate did win impressively when last seen over hurdles. Barafundle will have to race from a 7lb higher mark in future following his second to Grands Crus and this mildly progressive stayer merits respect accordingly. There should also be more to come from Cotswold Charmer and this race does usually go to an improving sort but, with the exception of Barafundle, there isn't an obvious stand out this year so an each-way chance is taken with course winner GALA EVENING who was in good enough form on the level in the spring to believe that he retains the bulk of his ability and he's on a fair mark. Quickbeam is also considered.
Buena Vista (IRE) 17-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 17th, led 4 out, joined next, kept on under pressure until headed and no extra before last, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Meanus Dandy (9-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd.
Racing Demon (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Always prominent, led narrowly after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 13, 11l behind The Shy Man (10-11) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Oscar Park (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up, mistake 1st, headway to 3rd at 10th, went 2nd 14th, challenged next, led 2 out, wandered left and headed last, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Briery Fox (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Apr.
Quickbeam (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Close up until ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Cross Kennon (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs.
Barafundle (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, ridden after next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner from 2 out, clear 2nd best, 2nd of 18, 10l behind Grands Crus (10-10) at Haydock 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs.
Galaxy Rock (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Hampered when left 3rd and last 1st, not fluent, fell 5th, in a race won by Cool Friend (10-9) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Oct, 4 ran.
Markington 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, gradually weakened, 4th of 9, 6l behind Harouet (10-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Gala Evening 9-4 (11-0) Disputed 2nd until mistake and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by El Dancer (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m hdl (2) gd in Apr, 4 ran.
Mostly Bob (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 6th, not fluent next, chased winner 3 out, no extra approaching last, 8th of 11, 16l behind Riptide (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Miss Overdrive 12-1 (9-7) Held up in last trio, headway 7th, driven before 2 out, stayed on to dispute well held 3rd when hit last and unseated rider, in a race won by Santera (10-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl (2) gd, 8 ran.
Estates Recovery (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) In rear when fell 3rd, in a race won by Quinz (11-4) at Exeter 3m beg chs (3) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
Cotswold Charmer (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Held up in last trio, headway when pecked 4 out, chased leading pair after next, ridden and quickened to challenge after 2 out, led just before last, edged left flat, driven out, won at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Hear My Song (10-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
National Trust 3-10fav (11-1) Tracked leader and keen, niggled along after 4 out, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon clear and ridden, easily, won at Wetherby 2m 6f 4yo clm hdl (5) sft beating Corlande (11-0) by 14l, 4 ran.
