with leader, not fluent 2nd or next, ridden approaching 5th, led before last, soon narrowly headed, stayed on under strong pressure to lead again close home
mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, headway after 3rd, led narrowly last, headed close home
led, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
in touch, ridden 2 out, hung left when mistake last, no extra
in rear, not fluent, mistake 5th, headway after 2 out, mistake last, no impression
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, lost touch 5th, blundered last, tailed off
towards rear, not fluent 1st, reminder after 3rd, lost touch after next, tailed off
soon well behind, jumped badly right 4th, tailed off
towards rear, not fluent 1st or 2nd, some headway when mistake 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened 2 out, tailed off
A chance is taken on SALTAGIOO bouncing back to form now the ground has turned in his favour. Tout Regulier and Russian George will also appreciate the predicted going and can make this an interesting little contest. Tony McCoy needed to use all his strength to drive Russian George to victory at Market Rasen three weeks ago - a meritorious performance from the champion jockey but one of reluctant cooperation from the four-year-old. The time of that race was poor and, as the gelding's jumping was far from fluent, it hardly bodes well for today's task under top weight. Tout Regulier hated the rain-soaked conditions at Newton Abbot last time out and can be forgiven what was a below-par effort. She is better judged on the form of her four previous visits to Stratford (which yielded three wins and a game second). Now just 4lb higher in the ratings, the Peter Bowen-trained mare obviously loves this course and, as the drop to this trip isn't expected to be an issue, she rates as the biggest threat to the selection. Another to consider is That's Some Milan, who impressed in an Irish point-to-point in May. He catches the imagination as one to monitor in the betting as he makes his British debut under rules. However, Saltagioo is also an appealing proposing at the likely odds and, given that he goes well for Jimmy Derham, the six-year-old is taken as the best hope sent out by trainer Milton Harris in the opener.
Russian George (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Always prominent, led narrowly 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Heron Bay (11-2) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Saltagioo (ITY) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened well before 2 out, 7th of 12, 36l behind A Nun With A Gun (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Aug.
Tout Regulier (IRE) 5-1fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Raslan (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Aug, 13 ran.
Addwaitya 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Sereth (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Celtic Dragon 20-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 9l behind Bramalea (8-13) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug (flat).
Hector Spectre (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Not fluent, took keen hold towards rear, well beaten after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Tesserae (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
High Dee Jay (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Players Please (11-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov stks (4) gf in Jun, 14 ran.
That's Some Milan (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Mid div, prog to 4th by 6th, chall appr last, kow, won at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp gd in May beating Herecomestherain (12-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Unleashed (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Opening Meet (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul, 9 ran.
Chadwell Spring (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Towards rear, outpaced when mistake 3 out and next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat, no impression, 5th of 7, 21l behind Favours Brave (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
