led, mistake 2 out, ridden and hard pressed before last and not fluent, kept on and headed close home
close up until 3 out, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, plugged on
held up behind, went 4th from 5th, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd place, went 2nd from 3 out, upsides leader last, kept on to lead close home
in touch in 4th place, lost place from 5th, soon tailed off
This is trappy with Comanche Chieftain having to give away so much weight to the remaining quartet. Neil King's charge has been in fine form this term and is likely to set out to run the finish out of his rivals, aggressive tactics which have proved successful the last twice. He may well succeed but FOREVER MY FRIEND is just preferred, although there has to be a concern about him over this trip. However, he receives not only a stone according to race conditions but also a further 10lb from his conditional's allowance and may just run down the topweight late on. Bridane Rebel is not ruled out at his best but hasn't really shone the last twice and Magnum, steadily getting the hang of things over timber, could represent a bigger threat. He had some respectable maiden form on the Flat for Brian Meehan.
Comanche Chieftain (CAN) 3-1 (11-5) Made all, hit 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jun beating Lieutenant Gruber (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Forever My Friend (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Led until 5th, mistake and headed 9th, hit 4 out and lost 2nd, weakened next, 4th of 7, 32 1/4l behind Definite Future (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Magnum (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, disputed lead after 3 out, ridden and one pace before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Enzani (11-5) at Hexham 2m (3) gd in Jun.
Bridane Rebel (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, rear group 6th, well beaten 3 out, 8th of 9, 35 1/2l behind Lovato (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Morning Sequel 80-1 (10-12) In rear in 4th place, weakened from 2 out, last of 4, dist behind Irish Roe (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gd in Jul.