held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, challenged approaching 2 out, led before last, headed near finish
led until ridden after 6th, weakened after next, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leaders, led after 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed before last, rallied to regain lead near finish
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 4th
held up in rear, mistake 2nd and 3rd, still looked to be travelling well after 3 out, moved into 5th when not fluent 2 out, fell last
held up in rear, hampered 3rd, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, weakening quickly when mistake 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 2nd, ridden 6th, driven in 4th after 3 out, no impression
prominent, ridden and held by front pair from 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, not fluent 4th or 5th, not clear run behind loose horse bend approaching 6th, effort into modest 5th after 3 out, soon weakened
Blue Express has won over the timber in Ireland before, but hasn't impressed since joining Evan Williams and despite putting in a creditable run after being hampered at Stratford last time, he is best watched. Michael Gates only took out his permit to train under Rules this year and Sternenzelt has won for him in a points race before at Bangor. The seven-year-old has been niggled by injuries over the years but Johnny England knows the horse well and the trainer is locally based so may put in a good run. However, we prefer the attentions of QUIDAM BLUE. His trainer has won a quarter of all hurdles races he has entered this year and with his option in this race a half-brother to winning hurdlers and open to further progression, a chance is taken with Quidam Blue.
Le Brocquy 5-1 (11-7) In rear, behind 8th, 17 lengths 6th last, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 27l behind Western Pride (10-0) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Sternenzelt (GER) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place before 4th, jumped slowly next, mistake 8th, behind 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Keltic Lord (10-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf, 7 ran.
Arcadia Boy (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, went poor 4th from 4th, ridden 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 9, 36l behind Saltagioo (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Nether Stream (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, lost place after 8th, headway to chase leaders when not much room and switched right going to 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 11l behind Extreme Conviction (11-12) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
Quidam Blue (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 6th, went 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Tout Regulier (10-10) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Jul.
Lord Francois (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, pulled hard, not fluent 3rd or 4th, headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 8th of 10, 22l behind Wheelavit (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Coral Shores 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division and keen, closer order after 3rd, ridden and pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Charmaine Wood (11-7) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) sft in Nov '08, 12 ran.
Blue Express (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, bounced off rail bend approaching 7th, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 12, 5l behind Kristallo (10-13) at Stratford 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gf in Jul.
Classic Fly (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 4th, soon lost place, well behind 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Alph (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Bazart 5-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 10, 31l behind Dream Catcher (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jul.
