tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to challenge 3 out, led 2 out, kept on flat, driven out
held up towards rear, blundered 4th, soon pulled up
held up mid-division, in 4th approaching 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, in 6th when pulled up before last
held up towards rear, soon struggling and tailed off from 4 out, pulled up after next
close up, soon tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on from last, lost 2nd place near finish
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, no impression from 2 out
in touch in 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, tailed off from 4th, pulled up soon after
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and 3rd last, kept on flat to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
Any money for Outaouais would arouse interest, however the safer bet might be SUPERIUS. Although well-held on his return to action at Stratford, Emma Lavelle's gelding is taken to win this if bouncing back to the form of his Wincanton victory in March. Sonic Anthem is consistent at a lowly level, and along with the reliable Phoenix Eye looks of interest at the foot of the weights. The chaser King Brex has something to prove after his final two runs in the spring, whilst Outaouais still had every chance when falling at the final flight on his debut for Venetia Williams over 900 days ago. The drop in trip looks a big question mark for Cruchain and even though he is very well-handicapped on his old form he is taken on whilst Forget It needs to remember how to jump before he can be backed with confidence.
Cruchain (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Led to 2nd, with leader, led again before 3 out, headed soon after, weakened from next, 6th of 10, 30l behind Rathcor (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Outaouais (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistake and led 5th, ridden after 2 out, fell last, in a race won by Working Title (11-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar '08, 9 ran.
King Brex (DEN) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 8th, headed after next, gradually weakened, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Sou'wester (11-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Forget It 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway when fell 7th, in a race won by Mini Minster (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May, 12 ran.
Nothing's Easy (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear, outpaced 4th, ridden after next, soon struggling, 9th of 10, well behind Elite Land (9-11) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Mar.
Superius (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out, tailed off, last of 12, 45l behind Nether Stream (10-0) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sep.
Alfloramoor 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, jumped right last, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 11l behind Penny Queen (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Sep.
Sam Whiskey (GER) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, dived at 2nd, ridden and lost place after 7th, not fluent 8th, weakened 4 out, last of 6, well behind Beherayn (11-11) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jul '09.
Baltrap (FR) 100-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened from 5th, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by General Smith (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug, 15 ran.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 7-1 (10-7) Led until after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 11, 18l behind Olivino (10-13) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Phoenix Eye 20-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway when not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 15, 15l behind Manshoor (10-9) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
