led until 3 out, weakened flat
prominent, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on
held up, headway 6th, led 3 out, jumped left last, comfortably
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, one pace
in touch, weakened 6th
chased leader until after 6th, weakened after next
took keen hold towards rear, mistake 5th, headway next, mistake 3 out, soon no impression
held up in rear, headway 6th, lost place next, no real danger after
took keen hold in touch, lost place 3rd, behind when jumped slowly 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Any one of nine could win this highly competitive handicap but we will short list it down to Englishtown, Burning Truth, Artane Boys and Rajayoga with the vote going to the last named. Rajayoga is returning after a course win over two miles and this step up in trip should not prove a problem for a horse that looks to be on the up grade. Englishtown was a beaten favourite last time but was not fluent over the last few flights and will needs to improve his jumping to win more races. Burning Truth is a reliable type but his latest win was in selling company and more is needed to win this,. Artane Boys can pull hard as he did around Uttoxeter last time out and will have to settle better over this longer trip. So for the winner we return to Rajayoga.
Burning Truth (USA) 11-8fav (11-5) Made all, clear 3 out, unchallenged, won at Worcester 2m sll hdl (G) gf in Jun beating Captain Cloudy (10-12) by 17l, 16 ran.
Mantras (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Prominent, ridden 4th, soon struggling, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Blue Hawk (10-3) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Jun.
Artane Boys 10-1 (11-5) Held up pulling hard, hit 6th, effort approaching 4 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 8, well behind College City (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs.
Englishtown (FR) 3-1jt-fav (11-10) Held up, headway after 5th, not fluent last, no extra flat, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Sunnyland (10-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Rajayoga 5-4fav (11-4) Held up and keen, headway 5th, led and mistake 2 out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Jun beating Not To Be Missed (10-7) by 1l, 10 ran.
Musally 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 1st, lost place after 5th, soon behind, 13th of 17, well behind Herne Bay (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Jun.
Tinstre (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) With leader, led 2nd to 5th, led again 7th, ridden approaching last, edge right flat, headed post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Court One (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf in Jun.
Astronaut 5-2fav (11-1) Held up, headway and mistake 8th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, eased and lost place towards finish, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Idlewild (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gf in Jun.
