tracked leaders, badly hampered 13th, blundered 15th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, pushed along 9th, slightly hampered 13th, driven along 4 out, weakened approaching next, behind when pulled up before last
disputed lead until left in lead 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed when no extra towards finish
held up, left 2nd 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, ran on to lead approaching finish
held up in rear, jumped slow 3rd, hit 11th, outpaced 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well to take 2nd
disputed lead until fell 13th
A tight betting heat and marginal preference is for Royal Castle while Gottabe and Mr Dow Jones rate the main dangers. Kate Walton's dual purpose performer was travelling well when a faller at Kelso last week but had previously shaped well when a strong finishing runner-up over a half-mile shorter at this venue, leaving the impression this longer trip would suit. The fact that the Caerleon gelding reappears so quickly suggests that he has recovered from his recent mishap and, with a fitness edge over his rivals, looks the one to beat. Gottabe was well below his best when last seen at Wetherby in May but is back on a winning mark and is a threat if returning to his best while Mr Dow Jones was well placed to land back-to-back wins at Uttoxeter and Hereford earlier in the year but has risen steadily in the weights and, along with Trusting Tom, may prove vulnerable on his seasonal reappearance.
