held up towards rear, headway on inner 8th, led on bit approaching last, drew clear flat
in touch, headway to lead 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, ridden and outpaced halfway, stayed on from 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden after 7th, weakened next
held up, ridden 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
with leader, until 8th, weakened approaching 9th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden and not fluent 3 out, stayed on to chase winner towards finish, no impression
A poor seller gets proceedings underway but something has to win and the principals look to be The Castilian, Mickey Pearce and Quinta de Lobo with the narrow vote given to The Castilian. The selection was a fair fourth behind Twist Bookie in a better race last time out, form that looks rock solid in the context of this race and he need only run up to that mark to win this. Mickey Pearce rates the main danger on his latest second behind Miss Rideamight. He hails from a shrewd yard and should be closely watched in the market. Quinta de Lobo is another that could go well on his latest fourth behind Spirir Of Newyork but he has had plenty of chances and the drop in trip also has to be of concern. Of the remainder, Bring On The Bling has place claims on his best form but is stable is badly out of form and for the winner we return to The Castilian.
The Castilian (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 19l behind Twist Bookie (11-12) at Wincanton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) frm in Apr.
Mickey Pearce (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, good headway to track leaders 7th, clear leader 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakening when headed approaching last, 2nd of 15, 10l behind Miss Rideamight (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
Quinta de Lobo 40-1 (10-7) Prominent, went 2nd 5th until 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Spirit of New York (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Mycenean Prince (USA) 4-1 (10-6) Close up, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, in 4th and weakening when blundered 2 out, 10th of 16, 22l behind Only Words (10-10) at Wetherby 2m ldy hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Armentieres 25-1 (10-1) In touch until weakened after 4 out, 8th of 14, 26l behind Westgrove Berry (11-12) at Hexham 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Something Simple (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) In rear, jumped left mostly, 8th of 12, 42l behind Classic Dream (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Little Sioux (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Storymaker (11-3) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Bring On The Bling (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, led 9th, blundered and headed 3 out, soon ridden, 2nd and beaten when mistake last, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Bite Un Fight (11-1) at Exeter 3m cnd hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr.