hampered 1st, tracked leaders, challenged after 5 out, led 3 out, clear last, ridden out flat
chased leaders, outpaced in 4th when lost weight cloth 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner, disqualified
disputed lead until headed 11th, close up, ridden after 4 out, stayed on to chase clear winner last, no impression, lost 2nd towards finish, finished 3rd, placed 2nd
tracked leaders, outpaced when ridden after 5 out, no chance with leaders from next, finished 5th, placed 4th
mistake 1st, disputed lead to 8th, behind and outpaced before next, no danger after, finished 6th, placed 5th
in touch when fell 1st
tracked leaders, disputed lead from 8th, led narrowly 11th, headed 3 out, weakened last, finished 4th, placed 3rd
A tight handicap with just 8lb separating the septet but AMERICAN LEGEND is a decent sort on his day albeit hard to catch right and his latest effort when third to Greenlaw at Uttoxeter last month augurs well for his chance here. There is a slight concern that the trip is on the short side but Richard Johnson is booked and his sole win over fences came over course and distance. Ladfromhighworth is the most reliable of these, has come back nicely from an absence and should run his race once more which ensures him a place on the shortlist, whilst Finish The Story is expected to do better returned to fences. Amazing D'azy and According To Sarah have both disappointed the last twice and Speedy Bruere is a more likely sort although he's found winning hard in the last couple of years.
American Legend (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Greenlaw (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Finish The Story (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Led until after 2nd, led 8th, headed after 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 9, 21l behind Decimus (11-9) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Ladfromhighworth 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, not fluent 8th, headway 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 7, 6l behind Isthereadifference (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
King Fontaine (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) Hdwy 13; wknd 3 out, 6th of 11, 30l behind Fruit Fayre (11-12) at Albrighton & Woodland (South) 3m ptp gf in May.
Speedy Bruere (FR) 7-2 (10-2) Soon towards rear, outpaced 5 out, went remote 4th before next, no chance with leaders, tailed off, 4th of 6, 37l behind Valco De Touzaine (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Jun.
Amazing D'azy (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, pushed along before 7th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Urcalin (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun, 6 ran.
According To Sarah (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Towards rear, weakened from 13th, 6th of 10, 41l behind Sail And Return (11-6) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
