held up in rear, headway 3 out, challenged going well next, led before last, ridden clear flat
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon short of room, hampered and switched right, close 2nd when mistake last, held flat, stayed on
tracked leader, mistake 4th, every chance 3 out, 4th and staying on same pace before last
held up towards rear, headway into 3rd after 3rd, not fluent 5th, led before 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat
raced freely, led, clear 2nd until 4th, not fluent 5th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, ridden after 3 our, no impression in 5th before last
chased leaders, lost place when not fluent 3 out, soon beaten
A competitive handicap in which most would have a chance of sorts. Dear Sire has won three of his last five but seems to have two ways of running. Mad Jack Mytton is a bit of enigma but this represents a significant drop in class. Curious Carlos was always travelling best when scoring at Cartmel and last year’s winner Cornborough is a proven dual purpose performer who usually runs up to form. Chieftain's Choice finished ahead of Dear Sire when second at Hexham last month while Ashoka was on a hat-trick when third at Warwick. LYCIDAS rallied well to defy a big weight at Kelso last month. He’s only been raised 3lb for that and may be capable of following up.
Mad Jack Mytton (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Always behind, 16th of 22, 25l behind Rather Be (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Curious Carlos 11-2 (11-12) Held up in 5th, closed 3rd, 2nd from 3 out, led on last bend, pushed out, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in May beating Restraint of Trade (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cornborough 7-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in May beating Jabbaar (9-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lycidas (GER) 6-1 (11-12) In touch, headway before 3 out, went 3rd and pecked slightly 2 out, soon outpaced, kept on run-in, led towards finish, won at Kelso 2m hcp (3) gd in May beating Politeness (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Bleu Et Noir 10-1 (11-5) Pressed leader until not fluent 3rd, chased leaders until weakened quickly 6th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Plumpton 2m hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Dear Sire (FR) 13-8 (11-5) Always handy, not much room briefly after 2 out, led after last bend, clear towards finish, stayed on, won at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) sft in May beating Its Pandorama (10-12) by 3l, 7 ran.
Ashoka (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, headway before next, disputing 2nd last, no impression on winner and stayed on same pace in 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Attest (10-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in May.
Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in touch in rear, shaken up before 2 out, ridden approaching last, went 3rd flat, unable to challenge, 3rd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Peruvien Bleu (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
