held up, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
tracked winner, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last
in touch, effort to chase winner 3 out, ridden before last, no impression flat, lost 2nd near finish
raced keenly, held up, short lived effort 3 out, weakened after next
made all, driven and drew clear from last, comfortably
held up, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, kept on under pressure to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Justwhateveryoulike may be able to continue his winning spree although Media Man and Barney are unlikely to make life easy for him. The selection has won his last three starts and has prompted the handicapper to take evasive action as he is now twenty seven pounds higher than at the start of this sequence. However, his last two wins have come over this course and distance and he has won very easily indeed so it looks well worth giving him the chance to prove that he's still a step ahead. Media Man is pretty consistent but appears to be handicapped to the hilt as a result. He has won just once over fences and may have to settle for just a minor share of the prize money yet again. Barney is of more interest as he looks progressive over fences. He won his latest start from a fair sort in game fashion over hurdles but had previously run well behind a handicap blot over fences. He's only 6lbs higher than when chasing home Very Cool and a similar performance should see him go close. The vote though, goes the way of Justwhateveryoulike.
Rossin Gold (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Held up, blundered 6th, struggling 4 out, soon tailed off, last of 4, well behind Tom's Toybox (10-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 8, 13l behind Manhattan Boy (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 3-1fav (10-9) Close up, led after 2 out, stayed on to go clear flat, won at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May beating Blast The Past (11-10) by 10l, 9 ran.
Media man (IRE) 9-4fav (10-9) Led, blundered 1st, ridden 3 out, headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Manhattan Boy (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Barney (IRE) 15-8fav (10-1) Made all, ridden and 5 lengths clear last, tired towards finish, just held on, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl (3) gd beating Spud (10-7) by a nk, 5 ran.
Ho Pang Yau 20-1 (10-3) Held up, ridden after 4 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 17l behind Manhattan Boy (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Arctic Cove 9-1 (10-11) In rear, outpaced 8th, headway 4 out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 1l behind A Sea Commander (10-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Brave Broncho (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Mid-division, behind 7th, effort next, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 24l behind Manhattan Boy (11-12) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Oliverjohn (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up, outpaced 4 out, left 4th, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance as winner, 2nd of 7, 30l behind Stand On Me (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in May.