led narrowly, headed 5th and weakened, behind when mistake last
in touch and keen, ridden and weakened 5th
with leader, led 5th, edged right after 2 out, ridden, hung right when weakened flat
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, stayed on well to chase winner flat
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on well
held up mid to rear, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace
held up towards rear, hampered 3rd, headway 5th to join leaders, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, weakening when not fluent last
towards rear, weakened 5th, tailed off
mid-division, reminders 4th, weakened next
tracked leaders, lost place and weakening when unseated rider 5th
held up towards rear when brought down 3rd
Roman Consul may improve enough to stop Past Heritage from doubling up, with Geton, General Grey and newcomer Master d'Or other interesting contenders. Jonjo O' Neill's charge was given plenty of time to recover from a poor attempt over Haydock's brush hurdles last November, not seen again until sent to Chepstow a fortnight ago. Tried over three miles, the son of Alphabatim fared much better in finishing third behind two better fancied rivals, and although back in trip again here, should have learnt enough to improve and take a hand in the finish. Past Heritage is the only recent winner in the line-up, having opened his account in bumper company at Taunton. That was a much improved effort on his only other outing, and if taking to the obstacles, he can go close. Geton has a bit of growing to do, but this young horse probably has more potential than his rivals, judged on a promising effort at Plumpton, where he looked the winner on the home turn, but did not have the strength to finish off the job. That weakness may cost him again here, as he bids to emulate last year's winner Control Man, but he is sure to come on in leaps and bounds as time goes on. General Grey has not been out since his fourth in bumper company at Ludlow in May, and Master d'Or may be best watched on his racecourse introduction. Roman Consul is the pick.
