led to after 4th, tracked leader, led again 5 out, headed narrowly next, regained lead 3 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, led after 4th, headed 5 out, led again narrowly next, headed 3 out, mistake next, one pace in 3rd when blundered last, no chance after
tracked leaders in 4th, blundered and lost place 13th, soon behind, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch in rear, headway 13th, tracked front pair before 4 out, ridden to chase leader between last 2, led flat, stayed on well towards finish
tracked front pair, lost place before 4 out, kept on same pace, weakened 2 out
MENORAH is still one of the most popular chasers in training and the veteran can give weight and a beating to his rivals. A fine winner of the Oaksey Chase at Sandown, this represents a step down in class and he retains enough ability to score again. Valco de Touzaine isn’t a frequent winner but he handles fast ground and has tended to put up his better performances at this time of year. Witness In Court failed to take to the Aintree fences though he enjoyed much better luck recently in the Kilmany Cup here. It’s three years since Realt Mor last won a race while Gold Futures disappointed in two big end-of-season handicaps having shown promise earlier in the campaign.
Menorah (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 6th, hit next, challenged 14th, led 4 out, strongly pressed last, stayed on gamely under pressure run-in, won at Sandown 2m 7f (1) gd in Apr beating Valseur Lido (11-5) by 1l, 7 ran.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, hit 2nd, struggling 3 out, some headway before 2 out, no impression, 8th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Starchitect (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gf in May.
Witness In Court (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders on inside, led 9th, ridden and headed before 3 out, one pace next, 4th and held when blundered last, weakened flat, 6th of 11, 23 1/2l behind Sir Valentino (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May.
Gold Futures (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Never better than mid-division, well behind 4 out, tailed off, 16th of 20, dist behind The Young Master (11-1) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Realt Mor (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Led, not fluent 1st, headed after 8th, ridden after 2 out and soon weakened, 8th of 10, dist behind Elegant Statesman (9-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
