in touch, headway 6th, chased leaders 3 out, one pace approaching last
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, ridden when not fluent 2 out, faded
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up approaching last
tracked leader, ridden 4 out, led 3 out, challenged flat, held on
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 6th
held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden and every chance flat, no extra close home
held up towards rear, headway 7th, not clear run on bend approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up and keen in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, faded
led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
River City has the class to prevail here despite topweight, and can lead them home ahead of First Fought, Goss and Chockdee. River City has mixed it with the best over fences, and finished third in the 2005 Arkle. Campaigned at the highest level since, the Noel Chance-trained gelding captured a Grade 2 chase at Sandown in April. He even had the speed to finish fourth in a 10-furlong Flat maiden at Chepstow on his return from a break a fortnight ago, and with that under his belt, should be ready to brush this lot aside despite having to give weight away all round. There should be a good contest for second place, with First Fought one of the leading candidates judged on latest efforts. His third at Southwell is as good as anything else in opposition here and he looks booked for the frame at least. Goss will go on the ground and has to respected, while Chockdee has disappointed, including when fancied Worcester last time. If class is anything to go by, there can only be one winner, and that is River City.
River City (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Raced in 3rd, left 2nd at 6th, narrow lead last, driven, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr beating Nyrche (11-6) by 2l, 4 ran.
Chockdee (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Keen, mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 11, 7l behind Moon Catcher (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Goss 8-1 (11-2) Chased leader until slightly hampered 2nd, stayed prominent, went 2nd again approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 19l behind Elegant Clutter (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May.
Conroy 28-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 6th, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 38l behind Cool Roxy (10-11) at Fakenham 2m beg chs (4) gf in May.
Foodbroker Founder 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, no impression when hit last, 4th of 11, 12l behind Albarino (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
First Fought (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Cherished Number (11-6) at Southwell 2m 1f hdl (4) gd.
Estate 14-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 15, 15l behind Mac Federal (10-6) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Dumaran (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Held up, ridden and short lived effort 3 out, 8th of 9, 28l behind Marrel (10-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
