led until 5f out, lost 2nd 4f out, weakened quickly over 3f out, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4f out, led briefly approaching final 2f, chased winner, one pace and held when hampered over 1f out, weakened to 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed approaching final 2f and dropped to 3rd, rallied to well held 2nd again inside final furlong
Steuben had some very useful form in Germany a couple of years ago but was tailed off on his debut for Barney Curley at Ripon. Dragonera batlled on to make a winning return on soft ground at Doncaster and the longer trip here will suit but Viking Storm's two victories have been on Polytrack and fast ground. Useful hurdler Local Hero was probably unlucky not to make a winning return to the Flat at Newmarket and has to be a threat while Lordofthehouse looked a real mudlark when completing a hat-trick last summer and begins this campaign off what could prove a very lenient mark. GRUMETI has been in brilliant form over hurdles this winter and compensated for his narrow defeat in the Triumph Hurdle by landing the Grade 1 Matalan at Aintree. He looks very well handicapped back on the level and should take this.
Steuben (GER) 18-1 (8-9) Pulled hard, led 2f, chased winner until over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, last of 4, 44l behind Dawn Twister (8-9) at Ripon 1m 4f stks (3) sft in Apr.
Dragonera 9-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on towards finish, just held on, won at Doncaster 1m 2f fll hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) sft in Apr beating Battery Power (8-10) by nk, 7 ran.
Local Hero (GER) 5-1fav (8-7) Held up, not clear run over 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on, not reached winner, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Ithoughtitwasover (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Grumeti 2-1fav (9-7) Close up, ridden over 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, driven and stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Ramona Chase (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sep.
Viking Storm 7-2 (8-5) Took keen hold tracked leader until 9f out, tracked leaders, switched right and chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar beating Right Stuff (9-2) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Lordofthehouse (IRE) 11-4fav (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon recovered to chase leader, led narrowly over 3f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, rallied under pressure to lead again close home, won at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sep beating Wayward Glance (9-6) by nk, 8 ran.
