keen early and held up last, pushed along and headway 3 out, kept on well to go 3rd approaching last
chased leader, ridden and jumped left 3 out, held when stumbled and fell 2 out
pulled hard and held up in touch, chased leader 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
made all, pushed clear 2 out, comfortably
chased leaders ridden approaching 3 out, headway after, kept on well from 2 out, no chance with winner
reluctant to race, refused 1st
prominent, ridden and lost place 6th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Grey Brother is narrowly preferred to Magic Sky with Zalda respected. Grey Brother has had his chances in the past and while there are one or two issues about his resolution, there is every chance that he could be better over this slightly shorter trip. Silver Charmer looked to hold every chance before departing when they last met and any money for Stuart Howe's charge should not be dismissed. Magic Sky is a rare Summer runner for Paul Nicholls. He races off a 6lb lower mark than his previous chase rating and has to be a player if in the mood. Zalda hails from a yard that have had more than their share of recent Sunday winners. The mare chased home Chester Cup winner, Admiral in a decent hurdle race at Chepstow last year and a repeat would see her very much a factor on this occasion. Fu Fighter showed no enthusiasm to race over chase fences at Southwell earlier in the month so connections are clearly hoping that there will be no repeat over the smaller obstacles. Darjeeling is out of form while Canni Thinkar is way out of the handicap. Grey Brother gets the verdict.
Magic Sky (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, bumped 1st, effort when hampered 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 17l behind Bill's Echo (9-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Oct.
Grey Brother 9-4fav (11-7) Held up in touch, tracked winner 7th, led briefly 2 out, soon ridden, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Hunting Lodge (9-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
Silver Charmer 8-1 (11-7) Held up when fell at the 4th in race won by Hunting Lodge (9-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun, 6 ran.
Zalda 8-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 5th of 10, 14l behind Political Intrigue (10-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Darjeeling (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, badly hampered and unseated rider in race won by Rushneeyriver (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf, 17 ran.
Fu Fighter 15-2 (10-11) In rear, jumped slow 1st and refused at the 2nd in race won by Mandingo Chief (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf, 6 ran.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Always prominent, led briefly before 6th, ridden to lead after 3 out, idled from after 2 out, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Stoneyford Ben (11-6) at Stratford 2m amt hcp hdl (4) gf.
