chased winner, not fluent 9th, lost 2nd before not fluent 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, soon lost modest 4th
chased leaders, went 2nd just before 3 out, went left after 2 out, soon ridden along, unable to go with winner before last, held after, kept on
held up in rear on inside, closed 3rd, lost place 5th, well held before 3 out, went modest 4th after 2 out
made all, hit 4 out, mistake 2 out, quickened before last, clear flat, stayed on well
held up in rear, raced keenly, no impression before 3 out, hanging left and well beaten before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 6th, blundered 4 out and rider lost right iron briefly, close 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, weakened last
NonRunner
EDWARDSTONE’s only defeat over fences so far came when he was brought down on his debut. He’s won five times since and, despite meeting interference, was hugely impressive in the Arkle at Cheltenham last month. He’d earlier trounced Third Time Lucki and For Pleasure in the Kingmaker at Warwick and appears to have nothing to fear from that pair. Mick Pastor is returning from a break but Gentleman De Mee improves with every run and has earned his place in this field. Amarillo Sky is preferred to Fugitif of the others.
Amarillo Sky (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 6th, pushed along and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 16, 14 1/2l behind Global Citizen (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Edwardstone 5-2fav (11-4) Chased leaders, hampered 4th, closed 4 out, went 2nd going well 3 out, led and bumped 2 out, asserting last, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar beating Gabynako (11-4) by 4 1/4l, 11 ran.
For Pleasure (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Chased leaders on inside, lost place after 4th, towards rear and never on terms after, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Gentleman De Mee (FR) 1-5fav (11-1) Made all and well clear throughout, slight mistake 3 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, not extended, unchallenged, won at Navan 2m (1) Yielding in Mar beating Grange Walk (11-1) by 16l, 5 ran.
Mick Pastor (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Raced keenly in 3rd, hit 4th, outpaced and struggling from 4 out, weakened into 4th when left moderate 3rd at the last, 3rd of 4, 28 3/4l behind Third Time Lucki (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Third Time Lucki (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Held up in last, closed 4 out, shaken up and disputing 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 4, 4 1/4l behind Edwardstone (11-5) at Warwick 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Fugitif (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, hung left and lost 3rd after 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 16, 28 1/4l behind The Last Day (10-6) at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
