chased leaders, led 11th, driven out flat
towards rear and mistakes, headway 11th, weakened after 2 out
held up, headway 9th, chased winner from 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from last
led to 3rd, led again 4th, headed after 9th, weakened approaching 11th, pulled up 2 out
chased leader, led 3rd to 4th, led again after 9th, headed 11th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, effort on inner 11th, weakened after 3 out
Il Duce, East Tycoon and Dead Mans Dante look the three to concentrate on in another tough race to call for punters and the confident vote is given to Il Duce. The selection was a good third behind Ofarel D'airy, form that looks rock solid and with the drop in trip also in his favour he will be hard to beat. East Tycoon rates the main danger on his best form as he won well when last seen beating Smart Cavalier. He again has conditions to suit but he looks vulnerable under his penalty in this more competitive affair. Dead Mans Dante is another last time out winner that could go well but the horse he beat Emerald Destiny has since been well beaten and he is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder, Brown Teddy will make a bold bid to make all the running but he looked sure to be taken on for the lead while Gelengarra's best form is over a shorter trip and for the winner we are happy to return to Il Duce.
Il Duce (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) In touch, went 3rd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, switched left between last 2, not fluent last, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Ofarel D'airy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs (3) gd in Apr.
Tonic du Charmil (FR) 7-2fav (11-12) Led from 1st to 3rd, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 28l behind Devito (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Nov '05.
East Tycoon (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, led 3 out, ran on, won at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr beating Smart Cavalier (11-3) by 8l, 9 ran.
Glengarra (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Always prominent, went narrow 2nd 4 out, still 5 lengths down last, stayed on flat to catch tiring leader near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr beating Rapide Plaisir (10-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Tracked leader, upsides when fell at the 7th in race won by Idris (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr, 6 ran.
Brown Teddy 12-1 (11-10) With leader, led 7th, clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar beating Rowdy Yeats (11-1) by 8l, 12 ran.
Dead Mans Dante (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Held up, headway to track leader 10th, led 3 out, ridden last, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr beating Emerald Destiny (10-8) by 5l, 7 ran.
