not always fluent in rear, reminders after 6th, mistake and more reminders 10th, hampered approaching 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, hampered and left 2nd approaching 4 out, led when blundered 3 out, soon headed, hampered by loose horse approaching 2 out, led before last, stayed on well
led until 7th, led 9th until 11th, soon led again, headed before 3 out, soon led again, headed approaching last, no extra flat
took keen hold, held up in 4th/5th, left 3rd approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in 4th/5th, slipped up on bend approaching 4th
pressed leader, led 7th until 9th, led 11th, headed when slipped up on bend approaching next
OSCAR ROYAL is hard to oppose given the authority of his most recent success and is preferred to Take A Mile and Rockiteer. Peter Hiatt has sent out three winners in the past fortnight including this gelding who was having just his second run for the yard when dotting up by eight lengths here last time. He has to contend with a 10lb higher mark but has been rated higher in the past and looks worth keeping on side now that he's got his head in front for the first time. Take A Mile proved rather disappointing over course and distance last time but he was hampered and may be capable of faring better with an uninterrupted passage and he has been freshened up by a break. Rockiteer has finished third in four of his six races over fences but he's not exactly been threatening and may have to settle for a minor role at best. City Heights was in good form in the spring but weakened quickly after making mistakes here last time and is better than that run suggests but now has a question mark over him. Maxwil has ability but is not the most resolute and more of a threat may be posed by Pheidias who drops in grade but it's hard to get away from Oscar Royal.
Pheidias (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, pushed along after 6th, driven 11th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 26l behind Putney Bridge (10-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
City Heights (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place when jumped slowly 6th, hit next, rallied 12th, weakening when jumped left 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Billie Magern (10-12) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Oscar Royal (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Made all, clear before 2 out, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jun beating Presentandcorrect (11-1) by 8l, 8 ran.
Rockiteer (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Pressed leader, led 4th until 9th, demoted to well held 3rd approaching 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 7, 27l behind High Jack (10-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Maxwil 7-4fav (11-12) Keen, tracked leading pair, tracked winner from 4th, pushed along before 3 out, mistake 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 2nd of 3, 3 1/2l behind Bankstair (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Take A Mile (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, bumped after 9th, pushed along next, headway 4 out, outpaced from 2 out, 4th of 8, 12l behind Pilgrims Lane (12-2) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Cherokee Star 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, led next, headed approaching last, still close 3rd when not fluent and left 2nd last, weakened and lost 2 places flat, 4th of 8, 13l behind Job One (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f beg chase (4) gf in Jun.
