held up, headway approaching 8th, led after 4 out, headed next, soon ridden, weakened towards finish
held up towards rear, hit 9th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, hit 9th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, headway 9th, led next, driven out
held up, headway after 4 out, kept on from next
led, headed 3rd, chased leader, led again after 7th, headed after 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching next
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 8th
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed after 7th, disputing 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 8th
held up mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway 10th, hung left and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden next, stayed on from 2 out
in rear, jumped slow 1st, headway halfway, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
A wide open handicap rounds of the card and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be River Mist,Fakima,The Weaver and Muckle Flugga and the tentative vote is given to River Mist. The selection won well last time out when beating Wet Lips and although he has a penalty for that win, this longer trip souls bring about some more improvement and he is taken to win again. Fakima rates the main danger as he was a fair second behind Shoot The Breeze last time out and is another that will appreciate this longer trip. However he looks on a high enough mark for what he has actually achieved and for that reason he is opposed. The Weaver is another with place claims as he had every chance until his saddled slipped last time out. He runs off the same mark here and should be noted in the market. Muckle Flugga won well last time out when beating Clouding Over but he was all out on that occasion and his penalty may just find him out. Combat Drinker was second behind Make It A Double last time and is another with place claims but he just gave the impression this trip was far enough for him and he is over looked on that basis. Of the remainder Presenting Alf is from a shrewd yard and should be noted in the market but in a race where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to River Mist.
River Mist (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway to lead 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Apr beating Wet Lips (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
The Weaver (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden to challenge when hit 2 out, 11 lengths down when saddle slipped and unseated rider in race won by Kings Square (10-3) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Fakima (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, improved into 7th before 2 out, kept on well to go 2nd after last, 2nd of 20, 12l behind Shoot The Breeze (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl gd.
Muckle Flugga (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Prominent, mistake 3 out, ridden next, went 2nd last, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Apr beating Clouding Over (11-4) by a hd, 15 ran.
Combat Drinker (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 8th, led last, hard ridden and headed near finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Make It A Double (11-0) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Joris De Vonnas (FR) 25-1 (9-11) Chased leaders to 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Tomina (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Waynesworld (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) 2nd of 13, 5l behind Uncle Neil (12-0) at Garnons 3m ptp gf in Mar.
Presenting Alf (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Always behind, blundered 2 out, 8th of 14, well behind Brigadier Benson (11-3) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Apr.
