struggling after 5th, always towards rear
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, went 2nd 6th until after 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
held up behind, not fluent 1st, smooth headway 6th, effort approaching 2 out, edged right and kept on same pace approaching last
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, reminders after 4th, headway 3 out, effort before next, soon one pace
always towards rear
refused to race, took no part
held up towards rear, pulled up after 5th
led, carried wide by loose horse on bend after 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened next
close 4th when stumbled and unseated rider 3rd
mid-division, headway 6th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on, no extra
held up behind, smooth progress 6th, led after 2 out, not fluent last, shaken up and ran on well
in touch, mistake 5th, ridden after next, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened approaching last
Nonrunner
Gary Moore's runners in this grade always warrant respect and Alrafid is no exception but the 10-year-old has disappointed in two starts since winning at Fontwell in April so he is hard to back with confidence and a better bet looks to be BROUSSE EN FEUX, who gets the vote ahead of Rapide Plaisir. Richard Lee's gelding ran well when chasing home Benetwood in a seller over course and distance earlier this month and a reproduction of that form would see him go close again. Jim Best's Green Prospect has won each of his last two starts but his penalty makes this more difficult as it does for Shanahan and Soviet Sceptre. Gan Eagla is better than he showed at Hereford last time and he has to be respected given the form of Evan Williams team but the vote goes to David Pipe's Brousse En Feux, who looks the pick of the four runners from the yard ahead of Due Respect, Hitaaf and Bathwick Minstrel. The selection has been well held in recent starts over fences but may do better back over timber and dropped into this grade, especially with the Pipe yard back among the winners.
Alrafid (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to track leading trio 4 out, going well enough next, soon ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 15, 22l behind Joli Classical (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gf.
Green Prospect (FR) 7-4fav (10-13) Made all, ridden, hard pressed from 3 out, edged right after 2 out, ran on from last, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gf in May '08 beating Shoudawoudacouda (11-10) by 4l, 12 ran.
Shanahan (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 7th, chased leaders next, went 2nd 2 out, disputing well held 2nd when driven and hung badly right flat, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Heir To Be (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in May.
Soviet Sceptre (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Towards rear, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up last, in a race won by Anglicisme (10-5) at Towcester 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Oct, 16 ran.
Wujood 16-1 (11-4) In rear, hampered 2nd, headway 5th, blundered next, soon struggling, 7th of 13, 25l behind Rapid Return (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Brousse En Feux (FR) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, stumbled badly 8th, driven in 4th before 3 out, stayed on same pace after, 4th of 9, 16l behind Majy D'auteuil (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Cash On (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 16, 41l behind Boogie Dancer (10-13) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Due Respect (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Pulled hard, headway to track leader after 2nd, weakened 5th, fell next, in a race won by Olivino (9-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd, 11 ran.
Galant Eye (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Mainly towards rear, 10th of 17, 24l behind Danish Monarch (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Gan Eagla (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Prominent, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, well behind Miss Phoebe (10-1) at Hereford 2m 4f clm hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Hitaaf (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until dropped out tamely after 4th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Benetwood (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd.
Rapide Plaisir (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway under pressure 3 out, chased winner 2 out, always held, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Benetwood (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd.
Stumped 7-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden after 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 8, 19l behind Muntami (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (4) gd.
Willie Pep (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch 5th, weakened 4 out, last of 8, 50l behind Flemross (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf.
Forest Lodge (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Prominent, 5th when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Wheelavit (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf, 11 ran.
Bathwick Minstrel 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway after 5th, jumped slowly next, soon weakened, 10th of 12, well behind Hope Road (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Calgary Jock 25-1 (11-3) Led to 3rd, weakened approaching 5th, pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Ameeq (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May, 13 ran.
Woody's Dream (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) In rear, mistake 5th, 11th of 14, well behind Master At Arms (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gd in May.
