held up behind leaders, not much room 1st, headway 9th, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, clear inside final 100 yards, stayed on
reluctant, half whipped round and left start, pulled up after about 50 yards
led, not fluent 7th, headed next, lost place 11th, hampered and weakened next, pulled up before 4 out
jumped left, chased leaders, not fluent 4th, slow and lost place next, mistake 10th, well beaten after 12th
held up behind leaders, closed 4th, went 2nd 11th, bumped 12th, driven after 2 out, well held by winner final 100 yards
tracked leader, led 8th, headed 3 out, weakened from 2 out
LORD BRYAN has had his problems since winning over course and distance off this mark just over a year ago but a clear round at Newton Abbot should have boosted the veteran’s confidence. Tiger Orchid has won twice over timber but Bolsover Bill and Hardy Boy are previous chase winners and connections of the latter will be hoping for a good run from Lough Carra in the opener to boost his Huntingdon form. Jet Smart is 0-5 under Rules but was second in a point last year.
Tiger Orchid (IRE) 18-5 (12-0) Took keen hold in rear, headway to press leaders 3 out, soon driven, every chance approaching last, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 8 3/4l behind Dicey Rielly (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Hardy Boy (FR) 8-11fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along when mistake 4 out, rapid headway to lead home turn and soon clear, stayed on well from last, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May beating Lough Carra (10-10) by 7 1/2l, 4 ran.
Lord Bryan (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th until 15th, weakened 4 out, went 3rd after last, 3rd of 5, 11 1/4l behind Cresswell Queen (10-2) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Bolsover Bill (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, jumped left and not fluent 1st, pecked 4th, led before 9th, hung left, not fluent and headed 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, dist behind Do No Wrong (10-8) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Jet Smart (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Island Run (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Talkingthetalk (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Jumped right at times, led, headed 3 out, led again before last, clear flat, stayed on gamely, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Annie Nail (10-11) by 3 1/4l, 4 ran.
