held up, hit 4th, went 3rd next (water) dropped to 4th and no chance when fell last
led after 2nd, headed 6th, chased leader, ridden before 8th, soon weakened, pulled up last
chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 5th (water) soon behind, pulled up 2 out
soon behind, pulled up 8th
held up, steady headway on inside 7th, chased winner 2 out, soon driven, no impression and lost 2nd near line
raced wide, held up, headway 7th, tracked winner 9th until 2 out, rallied to well held 2nd near line
chased leader, led 6th, made rest, clear from 2 out, kept on strongly
led until 2nd, chased leaders, behind from 4 out
soon behind
After winning well at Exeter over this distance we like PASSATO and give him the nod ahead of Miss Sarenne and Tempting Paradise. Passato beat Bushwacker by two-and-a-quarter lengths on similar ground and Robert Thornton is once more in the saddle after guiding him to victory in early May. Miss Sarenne unseated Tony McCoy in their last race together here, but prior to this she had won at Aintree. Miss Sarenne is a fairly consistent performer if her last run at Stratford can be put down as a minor blip. Tempting Paradise won last time out in a handicap chase back in April when beating Sumdancer by an impressive nineteen lengths. Paul Moloney takes the ride once more and Tempting Paradise is well worth regarding here considering his latest victory at Plumpton was run over similar ground and distance. However, Passato gets our vote in this tight handicap chase having won over course and distance last May on the same going. We see no reason to pass up Passato.
Knight Legend (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, hit 3rd, headed 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Very Cool (10-11) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Jumped with little zest, prominent, led after 3rd until next, dropped rear 6th, ridden and lost touch from 11th, behind next, pulled up after, in a race won by Duc De Regniere (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Merchant Red (USA) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, hampered and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Pilgrims Lane (10-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd, 9 ran.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 8th, mistake 10th, hampered 3 out, no impression, 7th of 10, 23l behind Quito Du Tresor (10-10) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Miss Sarenne (FR) 11-4fav (11-8) Held up, not fluent 1st, mistake and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Pilgrims Lane (10-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd, 9 ran.
Mister Benedictine 16-1 (11-3) Tracked front pair, jumped left 2nd, led approaching 6th, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 11, 28l behind Nortonthorpe Lad (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Passato (GER) 3-1fav (11-5) Chased leader until 5th, regained 2nd 8th and pushed along, led 4 out, in command when went right 2 out, eased near finish, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf beating Bushwacker (10-10) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Tempting Paradise (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leading pair, chased leader after 3 out, driven to narrow lead when left clear last, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr beating Sumdancer (11-2) by 19l, 7 ran.
Norborne Bandit (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) In touch, hampered 4th, went 2nd 8th, led approaching 2 out, driven and edged right flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Pilgrims Lane (10-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
