in touch, soon towards rear and outpaced 5 out
towards rear and in touch, soon chased leader, ridden before last, kept on to led towards finish
tracked leaders, went 3rd from 6th, outpaced from 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, left in lead 2nd, clear from 4 out, ridden before last, headed towards finish
led, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
soon in rear, weakened from 4 out
close up, went 3rd from 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
There are several front-runners in this and they could set things up for a finisher. Forest Des Aigles made all at Kelso and Nomoreblackjack has done likewise twice at Catterick recently. Fair Loch is another headstrong sort and Cooper's Friend took a keen hold last time here, though may struggle for pace over this shorter trip. It took a while for ASH PARK to get his head in front over fences but he may have the race run to suit today so gets a narrow vote ahead of Irish raider Chitu, who may need this, and top weight Avidity.
Avidity 40-1 (11-12) In rear, pushed along and weakened from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Chitu (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, jumped right 4th, 5th at 5th, closed up 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Killdunne (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f Yielding in Sep.
Ash Park (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Held up in 3rd, chased winner from 10th, ridden and no impression before 3 out, closed after 2 out, no impression and well held flat, 2nd of 3, 7l behind A Little Magic (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Fair Loch 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Medicine Hat (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Nomoreblackjack (IRE) 4-9fav (11-6) Made all, not fluent 3rd, clear from 4 out, easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Leanna Ban (11-6) by 10l, 6 ran.
Cooper's Friend (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, not fluent 8th, pushed along and outpaced in 3rd 3 out, no chance with 1st two, 3rd of 4, 30 1/4l behind Marlee Massie (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Forest Des Aigles (FR) 11-8fav (11-5) Made all, mistake last, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Nine Altars (11-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
