led, very slow jump first, not fluent 5th, tracked leader after 4th, ridden and weakened after 2 out
tracked leader, led after 4th, ridden after 2 out, driven out from last
tracked leaders, went second 2 out, ridden out final furlong, no chance with winner
held up in last, shaken up after 3 out, ridden soon after, tailed off
Course and distance winner Fitzroy is back hurdling having failed to take to fences but likely market rival FONTANA ELLISSI is rated 3lb higher and arrives in the better form having narrowly failed to concede 7lb to favourite Ibbenburen over 2m at Bangor when the first two pulled well clear. Keeper Chris did finish third at Cartmel four weeks ago but looks a chaser in the making.
Fitzroy (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Chased leaders on outside, not always fluent, jumped right 7th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, well beaten when unseated rider 3 out, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Fontana Ellissi (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Led, pressed 2 out, driven approaching last, headed flat, held close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Ibbenburen (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) gs in Jul.
Keeper Chris (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 5th, headway into midfield before 8th, ridden before 2 out, went third approaching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 8, 9 3/4l behind Calagogo (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 6f (4) gd in Jul.
Outsmartin (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, never able to challenge, well held in modest 4th from next, 4th of 6, 23l behind Boomarang (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Tuff McCool (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, closed 3rd, ridden before 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, mistake last, last of 4, 22 1/4l behind Clay Rogers (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Jul.
