took keen hold, held up in 5th, headway approaching 4 out, 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd approaching the last, kept on same pace in 3rd
always towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, never a factor
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, moderate progress past beaten horses run-in, never on terms
chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th until ridden before 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up in last pair, not fluent 4th, headway before 2 out, went 4th between last 2, kept on run-in, never going pace to threaten
with winner until pushed along after 4th, reminders lost 2nd and weakened rapidly after 7th, behind and pulled up before next
chased leaders, weakened and struggling in 5th when blundered last
made virtually all, hit 6th, clear and in command from 2 out, easily
held up in rear, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, never a factor
raced wide, tracking leaders, hung right under pressure between last 2, went 2nd approaching and blundered last, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Valid Reason finished last of the nine finishers in this 12 months ago and has lost his way. The same charge can probably be levelled against Midnight Oscar while Long Lunch still appears to be in the handicapper's grip. But Spartan Angel was fourth over course and distance on her reappearance and should strip fitter today while Dream Deal sprang a bit of a surprise when beating favourite Royal Native at Exeter and the front two were clear of the remainder. David Pipe has won two of the last three renewals and relies this year on BATAVIR. Considering the trip was much too short, he wasn't disgraced on his debut for the yard at Leicester last month and the going here will suit. Little Boy Boru may be the pick of the remainder with Harry Bannister taking off 5lb.
Long Lunch 7-1 (10-3) Prominent, led 7th, headed before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 23l behind Volnay De Thaix (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft in Nov.
Oscar Prairie (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Chased clear leaders, lost place when not fluent 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 34l behind Qulinton (11-0) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in May.
Midnight Oscar (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Raced wide, held up and off the pace in 7th, struggling in last trio 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, in a race won by Tullyesker Hill (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Harry Hunt 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3rd until not fluent 5th, lost place before 2 out, plugged on flat, 5th of 9, 12l behind Cocktails At Dawn (11-1) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Little Boy Boru (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up in last oair, steady headway 8th, travelling ok in 4th before 3 out, ridden and went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner when mistake last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Tullyesker Hill (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Kuilsriver (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Prominent, lost place and ridden after 4th, behind next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Kaylif Aramis (10-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Dream Deal 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closed in back-straight, went 2nd 3 out, led next, edged right before last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Royal Native (11-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Batavir (FR) 13-8 (11-11) Tracked winner, challenged 4th until 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Rock On Rocky (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Valid Reason 16-1 (11-5) Keen early, tracked leaders, challenged after 4 out, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, no impression in 4th before last, 4th of 7, 11l behind Brownville (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Spartan Angel (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, ridden and rallied into 4th and hung right betwen last two, 4th of 10, 15l behind Dark Spirit (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Tuscan Gold 28-1 (11-3) Reluctant to line up but well away, raced wide, chased leader, led after 2nd until reluctant to go out on final cicuit reminders and headed after 3rd, led again 4th until next, chased leader until 3 out, weakened quickly, 8th of 10, 20l behind Song Light (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
