chased leader, jumped right 6th, mistake and lost 2nd next, not fluent 8th, soon last, rallied before 2 out, weakened approaching last
some slow jumps, led until before 4 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in touch in rear, closed 8th, mistake next, one pace in 3rd from 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd from 7th, led before 4 out, headed and not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner flat
held up in touch in rear, closed 8th, went 2nd 3 out, led next, clear flat, comfortably
Nikki Steel was still in front and going well when getting rid of his claiming rider at Worcester last month. Sean Bowen is in the saddle today but COURT DUTY appears to be on a steady upward curve and, despite a further 4lb rise for finishing second at Worcester, can record a first win over fences. Flemens Story is likely to make a better hurdler than chaser given he’s a winner between the flags but Damut I'm Out is 0-11 under Rules and Fenlons Court is 3lb higher than for his only victory over timber.
Nikki Steel (IRE) 9-4 (12-8) Close up, led 6th, 11/2 lengths advantage when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Flemens Story (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Led, reminder after 4 out, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Eva's Oskar (11-2) at Hexham 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in May.
Fenlons Court (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Led until after 5th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 12 3/4l behind Blairs Cove (11-7) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Court Duty (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 5 out, led 3 out, joined next, soon ridden, mistake last, headed narrowly flat, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Kentford Mallard (11-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Damut I'm Out (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Held up behind, short lived effort 14th, struggling next, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 3m 1f (4) gs in May.
