chased leaders, ridden after 9th, led 2 out, strongly pressed when left clear last
held up, ridden after 9th, headway from 3 out, challenging when saddle slipped, unseated rider last
held up, not fluent 3rd, headway 8th, mistake 3 out, still going well, close up 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, jumped big 2nd, pushed along and lost place 5th, behind after
mid-division, hit 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, pushed along, behind from 6th
keen early, tracked leaders, close up 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
led to 3rd, led 7th to 9th, led again approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, left 2nd last, no extra towards finish
mistake 4th, never better than mid-division, struggling when jumped slowly 8th
held up towards rear, headway when mistake 9th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
chased leaders until approaching 9th
driven along after 8th, never near leaders
led 3rd to 7th, led 9th, headed when mistake 3 out, soon beaten
held up in touch, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
Random Native gets the call over Patronage, Sultan Fontenaille, Aldirous and Lilac to name but a few. This looks a very hard one to call, and only a narrow vote goes the way of Random Native who was a comfortable winner at Hexham on his return last month. Ridden by Tony Dobbin that day, he seemed to appreciate the better ground, and has benefited from a wind operation, so hopes are high that he can continue on the upgrade. Patronage won a class 5 contest here last time well enough, and is another that has more to offer so is one of a number of threats. Sultan Fontenaille has course-and-distance form, and despite topweight has plenty going for him as well, with conditions in his favour. Aldirous overcame a mistake three out to score at Wetherby a month ago, and although a bit high in the weights at present, he cannot be discounted. Nor can Lilac who won a mares' event here last time. Her stable has been coming back into form and she can go well at a decent price. Outside Investor and Allaboveboard are others worth a mention at least, but the pin comes down on the eight-year-old Random Native, who can continue to make up for lost time.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 7-2jt-fav (9-8) Mid-division, headway 5th, led briefly before 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Treaty Flyer (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Aldiruos (IRE) 7-2fav (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, challenged when hit next, ridden to lead when hit last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun beating Bohemian Spirit (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Random Native (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led before last, soon clear, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Lord On The Run (11-2) by 5l, 12 ran.
Little Big Horse (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked winner, ridden 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 8, 19l behind Ballycassidy (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Allaboveboard (IRE) 11-4fav (10-4) Made all, ridden clear approaching 2 out, readily, won at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in May beating Outside Investor (10-11) by 8l, 10 ran.
Patronage 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division ridden and headway approaching 3 out mistake and led last, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun beating Lake Imperial (10-6) by 2l, 18 ran.
Outside Investor (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Zuleta (10-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Lilac 3-1 (11-11) Held up, headway approaching 6, led 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gd in Jun beating Royaltea (11-4) by 3l, 14 ran.
