held up in mid-division and keen, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 7th, led approaching 3 out, ridden clear from last
tracked leader, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders and keen, chased winner approaching 2 out, mistake last, eased when beaten last 100 yards
held up in rear, mistake 2nd and 7th, soon weakened
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, beaten when not fluent last
held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, mistake 7th, soon struggling
held up in rear, struggling from 5th
Crocodiles Rock can take the opener at the expense of Greenbridge and Laborec. The selection finished sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and with winners already obtaining from the race, it is hoped with natural progression that he can add another to the tally. His winning form has been shown on softer ground but it is to be hoped that his class should see him through here. Greenbridge has been beaten in the past by the selection although as an inmate of the Alan King stable, he warrants respect. Laborec was well fancied ahead of his debut at Hexham and duly delivered. That race didn't strike as being a strong one on paper and today's opposition looks stronger. Cryptic looks bred for further and is taken on as such. Winning pointer, Ballynalty Express is given a baptism of fire while Spartacus Bay makes a belated return to the track after finishing well down the field in the Champion Bumper of 2006. Mick Easterby's runners invariably give a good account of themselves at Aintree so The Snurglar is given a cursory glance in the market. Plenty of future winners on view and Crocodiles Rock appears to have most positives on this occasion.
Ballynalty Express (IRE) (12-0) won at Limavady 3m ire ptp gs in Mar beating Brocks Brae (12-0) by 10l, 17 ran.
Crocodiles Rock (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Made most until ridden and headed over 2f out, keeping on same pace when not clear run inside final furlong, 6th of 24, 5l behind Cork All Star (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Cryptic (12-0) won at Bennettsbridge 3m ire ptp sft in Feb beating Carrick Star (12-0) by 5l, 17 ran.
Greenbridge (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and drifted left 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 23l behind Theatrical Moment (11-5) at Aintree 2m nhf (2) gd in May.
Laborec (IRE) 10-11fav (10-10) Held up in touch, headway halfway, led over 4f out, clear final 2f, won at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Apr beating Ormus (10-10) by 8l, 14 ran.
Shade Bonny 5-1 (10-9) Held up and behind, headway final 3f, never near leaders, 6th of 13, 15l behind Wychwoods Legend (10-0) at Stratford 2m nhf (5) gf in Sept.
Spartacus Bay (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until ridden, weakened over 4f out, 22nd of 23, 31l behind Hairy Molly (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar '06.
The Snurglar (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, chased winner 2f out, one pace under pressure from over 1f out, lost 2nd final 50 yards, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Theft (10-2) at Kempton 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Talesofriverbank 33-1 (10-2) Always behind, 10th of 12, 48l behind South O'The Border (11-6) at Perth 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Apr.
Rathcor 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, ridden headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Kilcannon Supreme (11-0) at Southwell 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Jun.
