tracked leader, challenged 2nd, ridden before 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear before last, eased final 100 yards
led, jumped right and not fluent 1st, headed after 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd when mistake last, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home
held up, jumped slowly and last 5th, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, soon hung left, ridden after 2 out, one pace in 4th when rider dropped whip before last, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
Jolly Roger is still 13lb higher than when last winning after reeling off a six-timer in the late spring and early summer of 2012 and may need further respite from the assessor. SOLARAS EXHIBITION is a useful gelding whose yard in now back in form and followed a decent effort on the level in a 1m4f handicap won by Highland Castle at Newmarket with a strong-finishing third behind Tom Wade at Uttoxeter when returned to hurdles. He looks ready to strike now and is preferred to Castlemorris King who has been in cracking form this year but is now 26lb higher than when obliging at Taunton in April. He only just got home last time against Brassbound and may find life tougher now. The remaining trio are not discounted.
Jolly Roger (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 14l behind Tzora (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Jun.
Solaras Exhibition (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Tom Wade (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Castlemorris King 2-1fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led after 2 out, clear before and blundered last, kept on and driven out, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd beating Brassbound (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Maoi Chinn Tire (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up behind, outpaced before 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 15l behind Sea Lord (11-11) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Teshali (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) In rear, headway into 4th after 4 out, chased clear pair 3 out until after next, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 44l behind Di Kaprio (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd/am sll hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Rime Avec Gentil (FR) 11-2 (9-11) Mid-division, outpaced before 2 out, kept on from last, no impression, 4th of 8, 13l behind Tzora (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Jun.
