An eventful contest in which the bare result in no way tells the whole story, Shan Blue having smashed the field apart and at least 20 lengths clear when falling 3 out, likely to have won by at least that sort of margin, and the long-time leader Cyrname going to nothing and being pulled up after the last. The winner is, not surprisingly, below the usual standard for this Grade 2, though he and the runner-up underlined the importance of staying upright and of staying full stop. The pace was steady until increasing markedly at halfway, Shan Blue then raising it further for a while from the home turn.
FUSIL RAFFLES (c149 here, 155 previously) benefited from the fall of the clear leader and under-performance of some others but probably ran near to his smart best in any case, travelling well in touch until several lengths back after halfway, and shown a clean pair of heels by Shan Blue from the end of the back straight until that one fell 3 out and left him in the lead, ridden and staying on thereafter. He should be effective back at around 20f.
KITTY’S LIGHT (c148 here and previously) gained due reward for the perseverance of his rider (who was unable to claim 3 lb in this), towards the rear and niggled along by halfway, but staying on as others went by the wayside until no further impression from between the last 2. He came into this better than ever and could yet advance his rating further.
CLONDAW CASTLE (c137+ here, 158 previously) shaped as if the run will do him plenty of good, travelling comfortably under a patient ride but left with a chance after 3 out, only to empty after the next. He showed he stays an easy 3m last term and would probably be as effective back around 20f.
MIGHTY THUNDER (c128 here, 150 previously) was made to look slow in this company, outpaced a long way out though staying on late, likely to come on for it. He won the 32f Scottish Grand National when last seen in April and that sort of test should be on the agenda again this term.
TOP VILLE BEN (c109 here, ? previously) is seen infrequently these days and offered little encouragement, able to lead/race close up only for a short while.
CYRNAME (c? here, 165? previously) was magnificent in his pomp, and had won this 12 months earlier when not needing to run to his best, but he clearly has problems and was pulled up for the third start in a row, going with enthusiasm in front from the third until Shan Blue quickened away from him on the home turn, tiring thereafter but still only just behind Clondaw Castle when blundering at the last and pulled up.
SHAN BLUE (c169? here, 150 previously) was in the process of putting up a high-class performance, something he hinted at early as a novice if much less so lately, tracking the pace travelling comfortably until sent for home leaving the back straight for the final time, at least 20 lengths up when misjudging 3 out and taking a crashing fall, likely to have won by that far if not further. How he will react to this experience remains to be seen, but his jumping is usually especially good, and there can be little doubt after this that he has the ability to mix it with the best at this trip or a bit shorter.
