tracked leader, mistake 6th, under pressure 5 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up after 3 out
held up in touch, outpaced 6 out, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never on terms
led, joined 8th, headed next, rallied 10th, weakened 5 out, tailed off after next
behind, reminders after 4th, soon pushed along, some late headway, never nearer
chased leaders, weakened 5 out
always prominent, jumped right throughout, joined leader 8th, led next, hard driven 3 out, stayed on well
held up, chased leaders 5th, went 2nd 2 out, never able to challenge
chased leaders, effort after 5 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
Back up in trip, Fort Gabriel bolted up at Uttoxeter last week. Jonjo O’Neill saddled last year’s winner and it would be no surprise to see a big run from the lightly-raced Forthefunofit. Cabaret Queen took a switch to fences at Uttoxeter in her stride and the runner-up has franked the form since, though her inexperience may be exposed against these more streetwise rivals. Casino Markets and SONNEOFPRESENTING are both defending unbeaten records on this track. The former is hard to win with nowadays but the latter looked to be coming to hand at Newton Abbot last time and cheekpieces are applied today. He’s only a pound higher than when last successful so gets the nod. Aubusson hasn’t won since his novice days and needs softer going, despite a recent second at Stratford.
Midnight Shot 7-1 (11-3) Led until 3rd, led 5th, headed next, led after 8th, headed 11th, lost place before 4 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Beggar's Wishes (10-13) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May.
Aubusson (FR) 9-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd after 14th, outpaced 4 out, rallied between last 2, stayed on to lead narrowly last, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Buachaill Alainn (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Sonneofpresenting (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Led, headed halfway, ridden before 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 6, 7 3/4l behind Drumlee Sunset (11-6) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Heist (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Led, headed from 3rd, moderate 2nd after 5th, under pressure and lost position 9th, no danger approaching 2 out, 11th of 12, 36 1/2l behind The White Volcano (9-10) at Down Royal 3m hcp gd in May.
Casino Markets (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Led to 2nd, pressed winner, every chance last (usual 2 out), outpaced when ridden and lost place turning into straight, soon no impression with front pair, lost 3rd bypassing omitted last, 4th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Imperial Presence (11-8) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Cabaret Queen 11-4fav (11-8) Tended to jump right, made all, driven after 3 out, ridden after next, 2 lengths clear last, kept on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Blagapar (11-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Forthefunofit (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, outpaced by front pair after next, well held in 4th from last, lost place towards finish, 5th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Allbarnone (10-0) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
Fort Gabriel (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 4th, led before 3 out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Aunty Ann (11-10) by 13l, 12 ran.
