raced on inside, took keen hold early and held up in rear, smooth headway 7th, went 3nd going well before 5 out, soon 2nd, switched right before next, challenged and not fluent 3 out, led soon after next and came clear, easily
led and set good pace, hit 5th, joined and mistake 3 out, mistake and headed soon after next, no chance with winner, held on for 2nd
tracked leading trio, mistake 4th, pushed along after 7th, weakened quickly soon after
tracked leader, hit 4th, lost 2nd before 5 out, dropped to 4th next, went modest 3rd 4 out, plugged on flat
tracked leading pair, went 2nd briefly before 5 out, soon ridden and no extra in 4th next
held up in last pair, dropped to rear 6th, struggling and no chance after, tailed off
SIRE DE GRUGY's defeat of Finian's Rainbow in a Grade 2 at Sandown in April was a terrific effort for a novice. If Gary Moore's seven-year-old is anywhere near his best on his return, he should be good enough to give weight to his five rivals though Majala is another nice prospect. The latter won a Grade 2 at Warwick in February and scored four times in total last season, including a valuable hurdle at Auteuil on his final start. Theatrical Star looked as though he needed his comeback run here two weeks ago but needs further. Rebel Rebellion has claims, however, as he's probably not badly handicapped on his best form.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, smooth headway to chase leaders 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, challenged last, soon led, driven and stayed on strongly flat, won at Sandown 2m chs G2 (1) gd in Apr beating Finian's Rainbow (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Majala (FR) 5-2fav (10-7) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Apr beating Katkovana (10-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed 5 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, 43l behind Rajdhani Express (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Theatrical Star 12-1 (11-4) Led until 6th, chased leader, stumbled 3rd, lost 2nd at 13th, blundered 12th, weakened before 5 out, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Al Co (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd.
Cornas (NZ) (11-0) 98th of 8, shd behind Saindor (10-5) at Enghien(FR) 2m 3f chs sft in Sep.
Mister Matt (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Led, soon clear until 6 out, headed before 3 out, jumped left 2 out, no extra, 5th of 8, 12l behind Tindaro (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.
