in touch, effort before 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd after last, never able to challenge
in touch, went 2nd approaching 6th, led 3 out, ridden when mistake last, ran on well
chased leaders, driven to challenge before 3 out, soon weakened, moderate 4th
led, hit 6th, headed 3 out, weakened closing stages
prominent, lost place after 5th, behind when pulled up 7th
held up in rear, weakened 5 out, tailed off
African Gold won his bumper at Stratford in May and has a solid NH pedigree. But he may just be worth opposing here with the equally promising BALLYBOUGH PAT, who impressed in another bumper at Ffos Las in March and won a point-to-point in Ireland earlier. He's made the long journey up from Dorset for this and is Aidan Coleman's only booked ride at the meeting. Mitchell's Way and My Idea already have form over timber and the former was second twice here in the spring, though he has looked a little one-paced so far.
African Gold (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Chased leader, led over 6f out, pushed along over 2f out, soon clear, stayed on, won at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gd in May beating Kilmurvy (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ballybough Pat (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Raced keenly, always prominent, led over 3f out, stayed on well to go clear final furlong, won at Ffos Las 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar beating Rydon Pynes (10-7) by 5l, 10 ran.
Mitchell's Way 7-2fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, chased winner before last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Toledo Gold (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
My Idea 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, led after 2 out, headed approaching last, no impression on winner flat, one pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind On Broadway (10-12) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jun.
Seaofemotion (GER) 28-1 (11-0) Soon in touch on outer, took closer order 8th, lost place from 10th, blundered badly 11th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Willie Hall (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (5) gd in Mar, 5 ran.
Rowan Road 5-2 (11-12) Chsd ldrs; ev ch 3 out; outpcd app nxt, 4th of 17, 6l behind Instant Shot (12-5) at Overton 3m ptp gs in Feb '11.
Robin's Command (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) In touch, pushed along 5f out, went 4th over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 11, 39l behind King Of The Wolds (11-1) at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
