held up towards rear, smooth headway before 3 out, pushed to challenge last, ridden to lead after last, won going away
prominent, pushed after 4 out, mistake 3 out and ridden, weakened before 2 out
slightly better than midfield, briefly nudged after 5th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, well beaten
close-up, hit 4th, pushed before 4 out, weakening when ridden before 3 out, beaten when bad mistake 2 out
in rear, smooth progress before pushed approaching 4 out, ridden and lost ground before 2 out, kept on one pace
led, pushed after 4 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on one pace
midfield, pushed after 3 out and closed on leaders, ridden after last and kept on well behind comfortable winner
towards rear, dropped to last and pushed after 8th, ridden after 3 out, keeping on one pace when untidy last, never competitive
slightly worse than midfield, lost ground when pushed after 8th, keeping on one pace when ridden before last, stayed on well to grab 4th late on
Question marks aplenty, with Chess Player an obvious starting point. Immensely frustrating under Rules with six runner-up efforts to his name in 16 starts, trip and ground are fine for him and it will be intriguing to see how he now handles fences conceding weight all round. Gouet Des Bruyeres shaped well on his first two starts for current connections and then pulled up next time. He'll go well if all is good with him on the available evidence. Mister Allegro unseated on chasing debut and has been tumbling dramatically down the ratings over timber, all of which makes him hard to assess. Ben Buie and chasing recruit White Turf may get involved, but dual chase winner BOSTON JOE should relish this return to fences and looks one of the safer options in a tricky affair.
Chess Player (IRE) 8-15fav (11-4) Led, went left 1st, clear when went left again 2 out, over 2 lengths ahead at the last, hard ridden run-in, headed nearing finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Alioski (11-4) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Boston Joe (IRE) 8-1 (11-13) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed 3rd, led before 5th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, dist behind Leopolds Rock (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Gouet Des Bruyeres (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Keen in midfield, jumped right 3rd, headway when hit 8th, ridden 9th, weakened before 4 out, beaten when hit 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Mister Allegro 9-2 (11-3) Prominent, led 5th, not fluent 9th, hit 11th, pushed along and pressed 3 out, ridden home turn, headed approaching 2 out, held when bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Annie Nail (IRE) 3-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway into 3rd 7th, went 2nd 5 out, pushed along and briefly pressed leader 3 out, soon ridden and well held, faded closing stages, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Princess Midnight (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Ben Buie (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Close-up, pushed after 3 out (usual 4 out), hit 2 out and ridden, 4th jumping last, stayed on well at the finish, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Trumps Benefit (11-1) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Kepy Blanc (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Prominent, bumped 3 out, soon led, headed final bend, no extra last, 6th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Allsfineandandy (10-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Pittsburg (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden before 3 out, soon beaten, 11th of 14, dist behind Do Ya Feel Lucky (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
White Turf (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Set very steady pace, increased tempo 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed after last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 5 3/4l behind Noahthirtytwored (12-0) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gs in Jun.
