chased leaders, fell 3 out
led, 2 lengths ahead last, hard ridden run-in, headed and no extra towards finish
raced keenly, held up in touch on inside, not fluent 4th, headway chasing leaders and hung left before last, kept on in 3rd towards finish
keen in touch, weakened after 2 out
held up and behind, closer on outside approaching 3 out, weakened before next
raced keenly in rear, headway after 2 out, not much room on bend between last 2, chased leaders before last, went 2nd and stayed on well run-in, led towards finish
NonRunner
This looks a good race but one which comes with question marks. Course and distance winner Adjutant seeks a hat-trick for Olly Murphy but now steps into handicap company for the first time and only the outcome will reveal whether or not he is well handicapped. Teqany is an intriguing proposition as he hasn't been seen since landing a third win in just five jumps starts in Ireland and has recently joined the O'Brien team. Hopefully, the market will indicate his chance but he's one to note whatever. The question mark over Pershing is that he's up in grade so the choice is PERUVIEN BLEU, who continues to ascend the handicap but remains a classy sort on his day and can make a good fist of defying topweight. Mystic Sky is also respected.
Peruvien Bleu (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Playing up before tape went up and jinked right and unseated rider when it did, at Warwick 2m hcp (2) gd in May.
Mystic Sky 12-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, pushed along in 5th before the last, plugged on in 4th from last, 4th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Wells De Lune (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Adjutant 1-2fav (11-1) Left in lead 1st, clear when hampered and by loose horse and came back to field 3rd, soon headed, pressed leader, led again between last 2, clear last, driven out, readily, won at Stratford 2m (4) gs in Jun beating Thaqaffa (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Teqany (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Soon raced in 2nd, 3rd when left 2nd again from 4 out, slightly slow next, pushed along before 2 out, not go with leader when left in lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m gd in Oct beating Whatsinthecorner (11-10) by 18l, 6 ran.
Swaffham Bulbeck (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Led, pushed along before 2 out, soon hard pressed, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Siannes Star (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in May.
Steel Wave (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced before 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, never able to challenge, 5th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Gone Platinum (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led to 2nd, pressed and jumped left 2 out, soon headed and weakened, 3rd of 5, 13 1/4l behind Magna Cartor (12-0) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Pershing 17-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, led after next, clear when not fluent last, ridden out, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (5) gd in May beating Chef De Troupe (11-0) by 9l, 12 ran.
Ravenous 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Master Grey (8-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Cyrius Moriviere (FR) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced after 5th, well beaten after, tailed off, 5th of 11, 33l behind Jacbequick (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
