tracked leaders, 2nd from 2nd until 4 out, no extra in 3rd when mistake 2 out
held up, headway 7th, 3rd before next, chased winner 4 out, no impression, one pace
held up, mistake 6th, outpaced next, rallied briefly before 4 out, weakened next
made virtually all, clear 4 out, not fluent last, easily
tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, ridden and lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up after 7th
led until 1st, prominent, lost place before 8th, soon weakened
Sleep In First has been in good form in his last two outings and if recapturing his best on this return to the bigger obstacles, he looks well-handicapped, but ULIS DE VASSY (NAP) could take some beating here. He returned to form at Market Rasen last week and turned out quickly under a penalty he can follow up. Bobble Boru has the ability to get himself into contention but his unreliable jumping makes him a risky option. Notarfbad should come on for his run at Stratford and can make the frame.
Ulis De Vassy (FR) 7-2jfav (11-10) Tracked clear leader, led 6th, hit 8th, hard driven before 3 out, drew clear when mistake last, eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Ciceron (11-4) by 14l, 6 ran.
Domtaline (FR) 33-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Barman (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced 8th, well held from next, 5th of 11, 18l behind Sharp Rise (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Notarfbad (IRE) 10-3fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened and pulled before last, at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jun.
Sleep In First (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Prominent, outpaced after 2 out, soon lost place, no impression before last, stayed on to take 3rd post, not reach front pair, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Wisty (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Bobble Boru (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed next, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Zayfire Aramis (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun.