held up, headway 4th, ridden and one pace from 3out, lost weight class approaching 2 out, disqualified
mid-division, soon behind
held up in rear, ridden 7th, headway 4 out, stayed on from 3 out but not trouble winner
held up in rear, headway 6th, ridden next, kept on from 3 out without being dangerous
prominent until weakened and rapidly 6th
always in rear, ridden along 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, headway 8th, led next, blundered 2 out, driven out
mid-division, ridden 7th never nearer
mid-division until weakening after 5th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders until 5th, ridden next, soon weakened
rear and not jumping well, headway 8th, stayed on from 3 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden along 6th, headway 8th, under pressure 9th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader until ridden and weakened 3 out
King of Barbury gets a tentative vote over Musimaro and Celioso in a wide-open affair. The selection was a fair fourth behind Major Shark off this mark last time out. However, with the slightly longer trip sure to be in his favour, he is taken to regain the winning thread. Musimaro rates the main danger on his best form, and having finished in mid-division behind Mr Ed in a better race than this at Worcester, appears to be a live danger. Celioso was fancied for the Summer National at Uttoxeter last month but after being hampered early on he dropped right out of contention. That was over four miles but the less demanding trip and slightly weaker company should ensure that he produces a better effort this time. Of the rest, Ottoman who was down to run on Saturday, and Orbicularis are worth a second glance, the latter in particular. Alison Thorpe's charge was successful here over hurdles last time and reverts to fences in fine heart and with his jockey able to claim to offset the seven-pound penalty. King of Barbury may have topweight but with plenty going for him, is the selection to small stakes.
