mid-division, ridden and weakened from 4 out
prominent, jumped left 5th, every chance 4 out, soon ridden and weakened from 2 out
towards rear, 4 lengths down and disputing 5th when unseated rider 3 out
towards rear, effort 5th, lost place approaching 4 out
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden approaching next, kept on until one pace approaching last
tracked leaders, smooth headway from approaching 3 out to lead approaching 2 out, ridden and headed, no extra flat
mid-division, fell 4th
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, headway to challenge 2 out, kept on to lead flat, driven out
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, gradually weakened
behind and lost place from approaching 4 out
In-form Donovan can land the day's feature event at the Scottish track, with Dark Corner, Colliers Court and Eye Candy three to give him most to do. Donovan made hard work of getting up to score at Bangor last month, having won a lot easier at Cartmel the time before, but there is no doubting the fact that Richard Guest's charge has bounced back to the sort of form he showed two years ago. Although it appeared that a step up in trip was a key factor in his recent success, a truely-run race around two miles is just what he needs, and although Timmy Murphy is replaced by Dougie Costello, more success is on the cards. Dark Corner is plunged straight into handicap company on his chase debut after a break, while Colliers Court has been in fair form but is a shade high in the weights as a result. Eye Candy is one of four Irish raiders, and perhaps has the most scope, but all in all, Donovan, in receipt of weight from his main rivals, makes most appeal.
Prince Of Pleasure (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Led, headed soon after 4 out, dropped to 4th next, left 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 12l behind John James (10-13) at Roscommon 2m hcp chs 0-130 gf.
Colliers Court 13-2 (11-11) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Vintage Gold (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug.
Espoir Du Bocage (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Always behind, 6th of 8, 32l behind Waterspray (11-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Arresting 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, 7th halfway, weakened 4 out, 9th of 11, 30l behind Gurrun (10-10) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl 81-123 gf.
Eye Candy (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Mid-division, progress into 5th 6 out, 3rd 4 out, 2nd and ridden after next, no impression, no extra after 2 out, 4th of 15, 10l behind Tomorrow's Dream (11-12) at Listowel 2m 1f beg chs gf.
Dark Corner 11-2 (11-1) Held up, headway 9th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Gidam Gidam (11-3) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, 29l behind My Condor (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Jefertiti (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 12, 23l behind My Condor (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Donovan (NZ) 8-1 (11-3) Held up and behind, not fluent 8th, headway 3 out, slightly hampered last, ran on well to lead last strides, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Aug beating Lusaka De Pembo (11-2) by a hd, 11 ran.
Duke Of Stradone (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Led and clear, reduced lead approaching 3 out, strongly pressed and headed next, soon dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 7l behind French Accordion (10-6) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 gf.
Royal Glen (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon behind, 10th of 13, 21l behind dhtrs Go Figure (10-3) & Gold Gun (10-8) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jul.
