chased leaders, led 3 out, soon headed, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next
held up mid-division, led after 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, headed final 50 yards
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place approaching 4 out, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on to take 4th approaching last, no impression
chased leader, weakened approaching 4 out
towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, kept on to lead final 50 yards
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened going to 2 out
soon in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd approaching and hit 2 out, lost 2nd last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out
Zafar doesn't look the most straightforward and a safer option looks to be SHORE THING who is nominated ahead of Intac and Talenti in a strong selling contest. Bernard Llewellyn's gelding was left behind at Pontefract last month but prior to that had won well at Towcester in claiming grade. This contest looks slightly more competitive but he is a big player on official ratings and this course winner can put in a bold display. Intac had Talenti and Heir To Be in behind when winning here last time out and with the ground in his favour again he is not discounted, although with a 4lb pull in the weights Talenti will not be easy to shrug off. Zafar refused at Towcester in April on his return to action before going off a warm order at Uttoxeter. He had no answer when Mhilu and friends went on by but this longer trip could help and he is not discounted. Crathorne, dropping in grade, is another to consider especially if the market vibes are positive, however with Navajo Nation finding it hard to win it is Shore Thing who is given the nomination.
Zafar (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon went 3rd, no extra last, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 6, 9l behind Mhilu (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd in Jun.
Intac (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Prominent 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 6th, led on bit before 2 out, mistake last, pushed out, held on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gf in Jun beating Talenti (11-6) by nk, 11 ran.
Shore Thing (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Always prominent on inside, went 2nd before 2 out, led between last 2, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Towcester 2m 5f clm hdl (5) gf in Apr beating Irish Legend (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Talenti (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Led until 1st, chased leader until approaching 3rd and again after 5th, led before next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 11, nk behind Intac (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Coup de Tabac (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd and ridden 5th, weakened next, pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Benmadigan (11-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Crathorne (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, 12th of 14, well behind Norisan (10-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Dashing Bach (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Towards rear, ridden after 4th, behind 7th, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Fealing Real (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Knightsbridgelives (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Led and keen early, hit 3rd and 5th, headed approaching 6th, lost place from next, 6th of 8, well behind King Raven (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Navajo Nation (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 12l behind Wilbury Star (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Ful of Grace (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led at good pace, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Soviet Sceptre (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun '08.
Heir To Be 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 3rd, not fluent next, soon behind, kept on approaching 2 out, went 4th flat, no impression, 4th of 11, 22l behind Intac (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gf in Jun.
