close up on outside, lost place 7th, behind from 4 out, tailed off
held up behind, headway after 4 out, driven to chase front pair after next, challenged when hit 2 out, led last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat
tracked leader to 6th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next
mid-division, tracked leaders after 5th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division on inside, tracked leaders after 6th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, just held near finish
held up behind, struggling 4 out, never able to challenge
held up towards rear, outpaced before 3 out, plugged on from next, never reached leaders
led, hard pressed 3 out, ridden after next, headed last, kept on same pace in 3rd flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd when not fluent 6th, challenged 3 out, ridden and stayed on towards stand side rail between last 2, no extra when not fluent last, well held in 4th flat
Top Ville Ben has the most recent form with a modest effort at Wetherby last month while Sky Khan was placed at Worcester in August and can race off the same mark. ONE FOR HARRY (NAP) took no part in last year’s running but won the first two renewals of this and was returning from a lay-off on both occasions. He also scored at Wetherby earlier this year and Nicky Richards’ charge can go close once again. Desert Cry beat the selection at Ayr back in March while Eminent Poet won three times at the end of last season and Tomngerry showed progressive form last year. Shantou Bob remains 9lb higher than his latest success and Westend Story has struggled over timber so far.
Shantou Bob (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, not fluent normal 3 out, weakened before omitted last, 5th of 15, 13 1/4l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Jan.
Desert Cry (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, last of 10, 20 3/4l behind Gilt Shadow (11-2) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
One For Harry (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on run-in, 4th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Jacks Last Hope (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Eminent Poet 10-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 10 1/2l behind Big River (10-9) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Tomngerry (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 8th, struggling next, well beaten after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Sky Khan 8-1 (11-12) Keen, held up last, some late minor headway, never on terms, 6th of 7, 21 3/4l behind Sun Cloud (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp (3) hvy in Sep.
Head To The Stars 6-1 (11-9) Took keen hold, pressed leader, led narrowly 5th until hit 9th and headed, pressed leader, hit next, led again 3 out until 2 out, no extra in 3rd between last 2, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 6, 15 1/2l behind Zero Grand (11-9) at Hereford 3m 2f (4) sft in Mar.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led and jumped right throughout, headed before last, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Master Of Irony (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Westend Story (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Held up, brought down 2nd, at Ludlow 3m mdn (4) gs in Feb.
