held up, mistake 4th, headway 4 out, kept on from last
with leader and mistakes, led 9th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders and keen, ridden 2 out, one pace from last
held up, outpaced 3 out, switched right approaching last, stayed on well
held up, smooth headway 3 out, led last, driven out
held up in touch, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed last, one pace
led to 9th, weakened next, tailed off from 2 out
ARCTIC ECHO made the most of a sliding handicap mark to bounce back to winning form last time, and he can score again under a penalty at the main expense of Corkage and Giovanna. Twice a winner last year, Corkage had given recent hints of a return to form before springing a surprise at Kelso last time. That was a good effort, but a 9lb rise may be prohibitive. After a busy campaign, Giovanna has benefitted from a two month break to win successive races and she looks a major threat, even though racing off a 5lb higher mark. Arctic Echo ran up a hat-trick of wins as a novice, but had been suffering from a lofty rating as a consequence. However, he has been an improved performer recently, and Arctic Echo may have begun another winning sequence.
To Arms 4-5fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, upside last, every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 7, shd behind King Troy (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nov stks (4) gs in May.
Raslan 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went second 10th, led approaching 15th, not fluent 4 out, headed 3 out, hit 2 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Black Beauty (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd in May.
Giovanna 5-1fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 10th, chased leader next, challenging when left in lead last, driven out, won at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May beating Plane Painter (10-3) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Corkage (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, lost place halfway, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden and kept on from 2 out to challenge last, driven and led run in, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Markington (11-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Sheshali (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, smooth headway from 7th, led 3 out, hit 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well, pushed out, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May beating So Now (10-13) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Arctic Echo 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along after 9th, ridden after next, led and not fluent 3 out, driven clear flat, won at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Iona Star (9-9) by 10l, 9 ran.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway to 5th 6 out, 3rd before 4 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra and weakened, 9th of 24, 32l behind Ballytrim (11-2) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 hvy in May.
Pasagai (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Led from 1st, ridden after 2 out, headed after last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Fortunate Dave (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Downing Street (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) In rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 24l behind I'm The Decider (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
