held up in rear, keen early, not fluent 3rd, stayed on approaching 2 out, never near leaders
led, clear after 2nd until 4th, ridden and headed after 5th, jumped left next, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leading pair, went 2nd approaching 3rd, led after 5th, quickened next, clear when not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra flat
in touch, raced keenly, hampered 6th, weakened under pressure after 3 out
took keen hold, chased leader until approaching 3rd, remained prominent, went 2nd again when slightly hampered 6th, disputing 3rd when saddle slipped on bend approaching 2 out, rider kicked both irons out and no chance after
in rear, not always fluent, not looking keen and beaten 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, not reach leaders
took keen hold towards rear, good headway after 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led between last 2, readily
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
took keen hold, soon in mid-division, headway after 6th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression on winner
raced keenly, held up, headway on outside after 6th, hanging right and weakened after 3 out
Leo's Lucky Star is the one to be with here although Distiller and King's Head would merit respect if the rain stays away. The selection has taken his time to open his account over obstacles but he's kept some decent company in the past and has always threatened to develop into a useful performer. His maiden win should have given him some confidence and he's fancied to follow up. Distiller is ideally suited by a sharp track and quick ground so it's not hard to see him running a big race if the rain misses the track. He's another that has the potential to rate a good bit better than his current mark. King's Head was decent on the Flat but hasn't really had things go his way over hurdles as yet. He's just the type of horse that his yard does well with and has the ability to win a prize like this but his chance would also appear to be ground dependent. Pilca's capable of going well and Boot 'N Toot is worth a second look on her handicap bow but she hasn't always appeared straightforward. This is competitive but there should be more to come from Leo's Lucky Star and he can continue his ascent.
Prime Contender 5-6fav (12-0) Held up, smooth headway from 7th, led 3 out, found little under pressure run-in, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Highland Games (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gs in May.
Circassian (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Jumped left 1st 3, led to 2nd, chased leader until approaching 7th, weakened approaching 9th, 7th of 12, 25l behind Ladino (11-4) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Chaninbar (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 2nd, quickened clear 4th, headed between last 2, one pace, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Southern Regent (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Iffy 9-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, challened last, stayed on well to lead post, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun beating Moon Star (11-2) by a hd, 10 ran.
Distiller (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) In touch, headway 5th, stayed on near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Shavansky (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Country Escape 11-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened between last 2, 6th of 12, 31l behind Sninfia (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Pilca (FR) 3-1fav (11-0) Held up, slightly hampered 6th, headway approaching 4 out, challenged winner from 2 out, every chance last, faded flat, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Commemoration Day (11-0) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gf in Jun.
Leo's Lucky Star (USA) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway from 3 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Cavallini (11-0) by 1l, 14 ran.
Alrafid (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, effort approaching 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Spirit of New York (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Le Corvee (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, mistake 3 out, never near leaders, 7th of 10, 10l behind Iffy (11-2) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
Boot 'n Toot 5-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, chased leaders last, stayed on one pace flat, 4th of 12, 8l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
King's Head (IRE) 9-4fav (10-5) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 8th of 14, 33l behind The Rocking Dock (9-13) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
