mid-division on outside, jumped slowly 1st, reminders after 4th, struggling before 9th, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent and headway 7th, ridden after 10th, blundered and weakened 2 out
coaxed along leaving start, made virtually all, reminder after 2nd, held on well flat
mid-division, took keen hold, headway when mistake 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, ridden 9th, no impression approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, chased winner 6th, led briefly 8th, driven 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat, always held
towards rear, blundered 9th, headway approaching 3 out, never near leaders
held up in rear, struggling 4 out, always behind
pulled hard, tracked winner until 6th, remained prominent, ridden 3 out, blundered and beaten 2 out, mistake last
in touch, took keen hold, hit 10th, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, struggling 4 out, tailed off
GOTHIC CHARM is capable of giving weight away at this level and is selected in preference to Old Brigade and Safe Investment. There may also be more to come from Tampa Boy now that he has the benefit of a recent outing behind him. The betting will be the best source of information where the Milton Harris-trained gelding is concerned. Safe Investment was an unlucky loser at Uttoxeter earlier in the month - he just ran out of steam and was nailed on the line in a similar contest. The drop in trip is expected to be a bit of a help this afternoon. Old Brigade also ran a blinder in that same contest at Uttoxeter and, as he is open to slightly more improvement, he may give the selection the most to do this time around. However, Gothic Charm - a product of the Irish pointing scene - appeals as the one with the most scope to adapt to these fences at this stage. Christian Williams is building up a good working relationship with the gelding his knowledge of how to handle the top weight will help our selection reserve a little extra for the final push.
Gothic Charm (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Jumped left and bumped rival 1st, took keen hold towards rear, headway 8th, outpaced 12th, rallied to chase leading pair after 4 out, edged left after 2 out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Baren De Doc (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chase (4) gd in May.
Tampa Boy (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 6th, not fluent 3 out, no impression last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind De Luain Gorm (11-13) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Public Esteem (IRE) 7-2 (10-2) Led, joined and reminder 2 out, headed towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Chorizo (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Western Palm (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, raced wide on bend approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 12l behind I Need A Hero (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Sir Harry Cool 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear on outside, edged left and bumped rivals after 9th, went 2nd 4 out until mistake next, outpaced from 2 out, mistake last, 5th of 8, 14l behind Pilgrims Lane (12-2) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Old Brigade (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, ridden 12th, stayed on under pressure from 2 out to dispute close 2nd last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Sordid Secret (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) gf.
Safe Investment (USA) 10-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, headway 9th, not much room and snatched up before 11th, led 12th, headed 2 out, rallied to regain lead flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Sordid Secret (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) gf.
King's Majesty (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, outpaced approaching 7th, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, never dangerous, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Ruby Isabel (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Ginger's Lad 3-1fav (10-6) Soon in touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, chased winner towards finish until post, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Tully Hill (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
First Fought (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, well behind Patrixbourne (10-6) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
The Masters Lesson 5-2 (12-5) Rdn app 15; wknd aft nxt, 10th of 17, 46l behind Glen Lord (12-5) at Hexham Points 3m ptp gd in May.
