mid-division, dropped to rear and pushed along after 7th, struggling before 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened quickly
held up in rear, pushed along home turn, ridden before last where not fluent, stayed on and took 3rd run-in, never nearer
prominent, led 3 out, ridden and faced challenge before last, stayed on strongly and asserted run-in
handy, ridden and dropped away 3 out
led, pushed along and headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened tamely, pulled up before last
mid-division, pushed along and headway to dispute 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, ran on one pace
towards rear, headway before 3 out, pushed along and disputed 2nd 2 out, ridden and pressed leader before last, kept on, no impression flat
Geordie Des Champs was only third behind Butler's Brief here two runs ago and no match for the younger and more progressive MR YEATS at Newton Abbot last time. Milton Harris’ five-year-old can win again, despite a further 4lb rise. Skandiburg goes well fresh but isn’t getting much help from the handicapper and South Terrace, who goes well here, might be a bigger danger even though he hasn’t run since December. Isthebaropen is back heading in the right direction so can’t be ignored but Diablo De Rouhet and Oscar Montel look high enough in the weights.
Skandiburg (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Held up behind leaders, went prominent 7th, pushed along before 4 out, led approaching 2 out, headed last, edged left and held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Boss Man Fred (11-4) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Diablo De Rouhet (FR) 3-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and held in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 10 1/4l behind Neville's Cross (12-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Isthebaropen 6-5fav (11-4) Not always fluent, chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led after next, clear before last, stayed on, won at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Forecast (11-8) by 12l, 4 ran.
Geordie Des Champs (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders until pushed along 3 out, short of room and stumbled approaching next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 11 1/2l behind Mr Yeats (10-2) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Butler's Brief (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Led after 2nd, ridden before last, stayed on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Jul beating Wbee (12-0) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
South Terrace (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Led, 1 length ahead 2 out, soon ridden, joined last, headed and not pace of winner run-in, weakened and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 5 1/4l behind Pileon (10-8) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Oscar Montel (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Handy, driven along after 9th, lost 2nd from last, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Ted's Friend (11-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Mr Yeats (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Held up, rapid headway to dispute lead 2 out, took it up narrowly last, ran on well flat, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sep beating Espinator (11-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
