tracked leader, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
pulled hard in midfield, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, effort 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway before 2 out, never on terms
prominent, led 2nd, pressed from 2 out, headed and no extra close home
led until 2nd, lost place halfway, soon beaten
behind, slow 3rd, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, never able to challenge
chased leaders, every chance 2 out, hard driven approaching last, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages
Dark Energy has the best individual pieces of form which would see him home now dropped to selling company but inconsistency has hallmarked his form this campaign and it is with some reluctance that he's passed over with the admission that the likes of his Market Rasen third to Enchanted Garden in May is way above anything achieved by these rivals. KAYFTON PETE and Travis County were third and fourth here last time behind Hi Tide and Retrieve and this is a much easier assignment with the former taken to confirm placings despite being worse off as the Ellison inmate has been in search of his best under both codes for some time now. Elsaafer has been running consistently well over fences this year and could go well reverting to timber but it was back in 2011 that he last got the nod over the smaller obstacles.
Dark Energy 9-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, prominent on outside, led before 2nd, headed approaching 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Sudski Star (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Kayfton Pete 4-1 (11-1) Led and jumped mainly right throughout, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Hi Tide (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Travis County (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 5, 24l behind Hi Tide (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Air Chief 14-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 19l behind Top Chief (10-8) at Perth 2m 4f (5) gd.
Elsafeer (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) Led, ridden before and headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Fairyinthewind (11-12) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf.
Mubrook (USA) 6-1 (10-5) Led, ridden and edged right before last, headed and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Jimmy The Hat (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gs in May.
Spithead 66-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, jumped slowly throughout, mistake 5th, never dangerous, modest 5th, 5th of 8, well behind Handiwork (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Recway Lass 9-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, mistake 3 out, one pace next, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Sureness (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
