held up in touch, led 2 out, headed after last, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 5 out, led after last, driven out
prominent, led 4 out, narrow lead when fell 2 out
held up in rear, never dangerous, soon struggling, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 7th to chase leaders, led 10th, headed 4 out, one pace
close up, lost place approaching 8th, tailed off
led to 10th, mistake 4 out, weakened after next
held up in touch and keen, chased leaders approaching 9th, weakened approaching last
prominent, outpaced 10th, stayed on from 2 out, chased winner after last, held towards finish
chased leaders, mistake 7th, soon pushed along, weakened 9th
Nonrunner
It could pay to seek a bit of a value in this race and we will do so with HIGH OSCAR who is preferred to Sebastiano and American World. The selection won this race last year and this is slightly easier than the race he contested last time out. He has conditions to suit and at the forecast odds he looks worth chancing. Sebastiano is respected as he twice went close here back in April and if he can get anywhere near that form today, then it might just be good enough to see him get his head in front. However, he is returning from a break and he may be sharper for the run. American World won well at Huntingdon back in April and he was entitled to need the run at Uttoxeter last month on his seasonal return. He is upped in trip here which should also work in his favour. The Hardy Boy is a course specialist so it would not be a surprise to see him run a big race. However, we prefer the claims of High Oscar who gets the vote.
Sebastiano (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway 8th, outpaced 12th, beaten before last, stayed on one pace, 4th of 11, 15l behind Dead Or Alive (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May.
American World (FR) 7-2fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, jumped right 3rd, taken wide after 7th, headway next, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 13l behind Silver Steel (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
High Oscar 16-1 (10-2) Mid-division, struggling 8th, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 23l behind Passato (10-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Thursday's Knight (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Saphire Night (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Royal Kicks (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner approaching 2 out, no extra when lost 2nd place flat, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Kisha King (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Wheres Johnny 8-1 (11-12) Never travelled, pushed along throughout, close up, behind from 8th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Valentia Island (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Sumdancer (NZ) 11-1 (11-5) Led until 4th, chased leaders until 6th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Meet The Legend (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May, 14 ran.
The Hardy Boy 2-1 (11-10) Chased winner, challenged and every chance 4 out, pushed along and hit next, beaten soon after, last of 3, 31l behind Vial De Kerdec (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Pagan Sword 33-1 (11-9) Held up, not fluent 5th, soon pushed along, reminders after 8th, pushed along again after 11th, struggling from 4 out, 5th of 8, 28l behind River Ripples (11-4) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jul.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Arceye (10-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May, 16 ran.
Bobby Donald (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, effort 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Or d'Oudairies (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
