held up in touch in rear, outpaced after 4 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden after next, went modest 4th approaching last, kept on same pace, no impression
raced keenly, held up in touch, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, ridden after next, went 2nd at last, kept on flat, no impression with winner
made all, driven clear when hung right flat, stayed on well
mostly tracked winner, challenged 4 out, ridden after next, soon lost place, weakened last
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, behind from next
tracked leaders, driven to chase winner after 3 out, ridden after last, no impression in 3rd flat
All seven could take a hand and it's especially interesting to see Gee Hi back in action after a lay-off of over 800 days. He was a promising sort when injury struck and must be checked in the market on his first start for the Greatrex team. Wind Of Hope and One For Hocky are consistent types but both do seem a little high in the weights although the former has won between the flags as well whereas Solway Legend remains on a tempting mark despite a run of strong recent form. The course and distance winner does take a rise in grade though. The Irish look to hold a strong hand and ST MAXIME is taken to follow up a course and distance win here last time when looking the sort to improve considerably over fences with greater experience. Bouggietopieces ran well here last time when runner-up and should do so once again despite a rise of 4lb for getting beaten that day seeming rather harsh.
Wind Of Hope (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Led, headed 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Antilope Du Seuil (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
One For Hocky (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) In rear, not fluent 8th, headway from next, mistake 3 out, weakened before next, left 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 18l behind Gone Too Far (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Gee Hi (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) In touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, pushed along and weakened before next, 9th of 14, 23l behind Kenai Peninsula (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr '13.
St Maxime (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Chased leader, led 14th, 2 lengths ahead and going best when mistake last, clear when driven and hung right run-in, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Xaarcet (11-9) by 7l, 7 ran.
Ballythomas 18-1 (11-9) Soon tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon chased winner, no impression, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Unknown Legend (11-11) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Bouggietopieces 15-8fav (11-2) Jumped right, tracked leading pair, went 2nd and dived at 5th, led approaching 8th (water), blundered 2 out, joined when went badly right last, edged right under pressure and headed run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Just Awake (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Solway Legend 15-2 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, led last, kept on well, won at Hexham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jun beating Troubled (10-4) by 4l, 14 ran.
