a little reluctant to get going, in rear, headway 3rd, not fluent next, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear from next, easily
not that fluent and jumped right, in rear, remote 4th 4 out, went 3rd from last
prominent, not fluent 2nd, pushed along and struggling 6th, not much room on landing next, behind when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, not fluent next, lost 2nd 6th, not fluent and lost place 7th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before last
led until 8th, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, not always fluent, went 2nd 6th, led 8th, headed after 3 out, blundered and well beaten from next, went badly left last
Utility has won four times over hurdles but his record over fences leaves much to be desired. Mercian King could be interesting after a pipe-opener over timber while the free-going New Millennium almost held on last time at Ffos Las and is now tried in blinkers. TIKKINTHEBOX has slipped to a fair mark and it may be worth taking a chance on a return to form for Jeremy Scott’s gelding as neither Vancouver nor Malangen look easy rides.
Utility (GER) 16-1 (11-11) Chased leaders on outside, close 3rd when hampered and fell 10th, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Vancouver 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, lost place when not fluent 2nd, pushed along 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Rakhine State (11-10) at Stratford 2m 3f (5) gd in Jul.
Mercian King (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Prominent, lost place after 4th, not fluent and well beaten from 6h, 6th of 9, dist behind The Vollan (11-1) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Jun.
New Millennium (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Jumped right and not always fluent, led, clear after 4th until 7th, clear after 9th until 3 out, headed before next, no impression on winner after, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Middlebrow (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 11-8fav (11-10) Led, bumped 5th, clear briefly when not fluent 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 16 1/4l behind Spring Steel (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Malangen (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, soon under pressure, rallying when mistake 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Little Stevie (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
