led, quickened before 2 out, dived at 2 out, joined between last 2, headed last, driven and stayed on run-in, always held
tracked leader 1st, challenged between last 2, led last, driven out
chased leading pair, pushed along after 3 out, outpaced into 4th before next, rallied into modest 3d again towards finish
held up in 5th, headway into well held 3rd before 2 out where not fluent, mistake last, lost that placing close home
chased leader until stumbled 1st, last pair, behind and struggling 3rd tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
NonRunner
Brandon Castle has only one way of running and should get his own way out in front in this small field. Fusil Raffles won the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown in May on only his second start for Nicky Henderson. He is clearly smart but GRAND SANCY is 2-2 around here, including the Kingwell Hurdle in February. He had been headed by Silver Streak when falling at the last at Kempton on his return to action but the winner is a top-class performer and the five-year-old would have finished ahead of Beat The Judge had he stood up. Christopher Wood was third in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April and adds to the interest, though looks the stable’s second string.
Grand Sancy (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked front pair, went 2nd and poised to challenge 3 out, led narrowly turning into straight, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, well held in 2nd when fell last, at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Fusil Raffles (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd, improved into 2nd after 4 out, 2nd and slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, led before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in May beating Fakir D'Oudairies (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Beat The Judge (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, driven to chase leading pair 2 out, switched inside and one pace between last 2, left 2nd at last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Silver Streak (11-0) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division in touch, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 17, 23 1/4l behind Le Patriote (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May.
Top Beak (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) With leader, led after 2nd, hit 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra closing stages, 4th of 17, 9l behind Avarchie (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
Brandon Castle 9-4fav (11-6) Led and set good pace but pressed, clear 4 out until before next, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened quickly, 8th of 9, 18 1/4l behind Fiesole (10-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
