tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, mistake 3 out (water)
tracked leaders, chased leaders 4 out, faded after 2 out
held up, headway 9th, led briefly 12th, slow jump next, joined leader again approaching 3 out, led 2 out ridden out
led, headed 8th, ridden and lost place 10th soon well behind
held up, ridden 11th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to take 3rd approaching last
held up, lost place and mistake 4th, reminders 7th, headway 9th, led 11th, headed briefly next, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out and weakened
The day's feature race can go the way of the in-form Borehill Joker, with Escompteur, Mylo and and Eljay's Boy seen as the main dangers. Just the seven runners have been declared for the most valuable event on the card, and we look to Borehill Joker to prevail again. Victor Dartnell's 10-year-old is at the top of his game at present, having been placed successfully on four of his last five starts, including twice over hurdles. Back over fences, he now lines up on a mark of 105, but has not been extended during his run, and can be forgiven his defeat at Towcester over what was a shorter trip. James White has been on board for each of the gelding's last two victories and can make the most of his 7lb claim here to score again. Escompteur has often promised more than he has delivered and is worth taking on again, while Mylo was given the McCoy treatment in a first-time visor to land a beginners' chase here last month and has more on his plate now. Eljay's Boy looked one to follow when trotting up at Worcester in June, but was anchored by a 9lb rise next time and may just need a drop back down to Class 4 company at present. Nevertheless, he should give a good account, without being good enough to trouble the tough and consistent Borehill Joker who can continue his winning ways.
Goldbrook 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, closer order 8th, ridden 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Scalloway (11-4) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Escompteur (FR) 6-4fav (10-12) Led, headed 2 out, no extra run-in, 4th of 9, 10l behind South Bronx (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Sento (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, headway after 4th, mistake 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Omni Cosmo Touch (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jun, 8 ran.
Mylo 11-2 (11-0) Always prominent, led 6th until 12th, soon driven along, rallied 3 out, led flat, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (4) gf in Jul beating Rye Brook (11-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Borehill Joker 11-4 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 7th, led 9th, clear 2 out, ridden approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul beating Zarakash (10-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Eljay's Boy 6-4fav (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 10th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Goblin (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Baloo 7-2 (11-0) Chased leader, led 10th to 14th, led 15th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, no extra, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Lambrini Bianco (10-6) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Jul.
