chased leader until after 4th, went 2nd again 6th, every chance 2 out, ridden flat, stayed on
slowly away, in touch in rear and took keen hold, headway 3 out, led 2 out, driven out
led until after 4th, not fluent 6th, no extra 2 out
jumped right, took keen hold, chased leaders, led after 4th, headed before 2 out, held from last, no extra towards finish
Elios D'Or won this two years ago and is 11lb better off than when fourth behind Blueberry Wine at Huntingdon last month, though was beaten 19 lengths. The top weight is on a hat-trick so won’t go down without a fight but today could be the day that STEPNEY CAUSEWAY finally gets off the mark over fences. Still only six, the latter can’t get much lower in the weights and he has his favoured ground and trip. Paros has much to prove after last season’s exploits.
Blueberry Wine (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up, closed from 3 out, led before last, driven out flat, won at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Lermoos Legend (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Stepney Causeway 11-4 (12-0) Raced in last, went second before 2 out, soon every chance, ridden along and made no impression on winner after last, plugged on same pace flat, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Magistrato (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Elios D'Or (FR) 13-2 (10-2) Led, pushed along and headed home turn, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Noahthirtytwored (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Paros (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leader, awkward 1st, lost 2nd 3rd, weakened quickly and pulled up after 4th, at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gs in Apr.
