held up, closed on leaders 5th, not fluent 7th, pushed along from 3 out, weakened next, 3rd and beaten when hit last
held up, headway 5th, chased winner approaching 3 out, every chance when not fluent 2 out, hard ridden and switched right when not fluent last, no impression flat
always prominent, led 7th, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
led and clear until after 3rd, headed 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
chased leader, led 6th, headed next, pushed along and weakening when pecked 3 out
always behind, lost touch after 4th, tailed off
Unless the rain continues to fall, this looks to be a virtual match between Jollyolly and Champagne Harry with preference for the latter, who has shown progressive form this term. Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davis could not have his string in better form at present and this son of Sir Harry Lewis has been the model of consistency this term with wins in novice-company at Hereford, Worcester, Uttoxeter, Perth and Chepstow already. Not disgraced the only three times he has met defeat since that run started in May, the five-year-old showed his best form last time when beating Martin Pipe's highly regarded Comply Or Die and a reproduction of that effort should suffice here. Peter Bowen's Jollyolly has been doing his winning in handicaps and is the obvious danger but, like the selection, he wants the ground like a road and any further rain would hinder his claims. Balladeer has been largely frustrating in the past but finally opened his account over timber at Wincanton last month and could be interesting if the rain comes. Fairwood Present beat an unreliable yardstick in Bosham Mill on his previous run in Britain and that form may not be too reliable, while both Intymcginty and Quizzical need to improve to trouble Champagne Harry, who is taken to give Nigel Twiston-Davies another Open winner.
