led, hit 4th, ridden and joined 2 out, headed and hit last, kept on
chased leader, hit 6th, ridden and weakened after 2 out
towards rear, ridden 3 out, hit next, never on terms
steadied start and lost 6 lengths, pulled hard in last place, hit 2nd and 4th, kept on flat, never on terms
in touch, headway 3 out, soon chased leader, ridden and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, hit 2nd and 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 3 out, joined leader 2 out, led and hit last, ridden and ran on
keen in rear, hit 5th, ridden 3 out, never on terms
The Weatherman brings decent novice form into this, though failed to justify favouritism at Sedgefield last time. J'Adhere is a lot more consistent nowadays and Stanley Bridge has won three of his last four starts, though has been raised a massive 12lb for his latest victory at Sedgefield. Valmari is unexposed but has her fair share of weight, as does Chepstow winner Granville Island, but DRUMSHAMBO is back on a decent mark and back in the right grade this evening. If back in the form he showed in December, Venetia Williams' gelding is the one to beat. Marchand D'Argent was well behind Granville Island at Chepstow last time but has been lightly campaigned over the last couple of years and market support here would be interesting as he's very well treated on his old form.
Granville Island (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Made all, in command from 4 out, clear when pinged last, ridden out, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr beating Headly's Bridge (11-10) by 5l, 15 ran.
Valmari (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Led, blundered 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed before and mistake last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Miss Tique (10-12) at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Captain Paulie (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway before 7th, led before 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 9th of 14, 27l behind Grandioso (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
J'Adhere (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Pulled very hard in touch, headway to lead after 3rd, soon 8 lengthes clear, not fluent 5th, headed after 4 out, weakened before next, moderate 3rd, 3rd of 5, 41l behind Dragon's Den (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Drumshambo (USA) 9-4fav (11-7) Prominent, went 3rd before 6th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 11, 13l behind Traditional Bob (10-12) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
The Weatherman (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Held up in touch, headway halfway, joined leader after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, headed closing stages, no extra, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Reasonable Force (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 1f am nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Stanley Bridge 3-1fav (10-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, led approaching last, drew clear, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr beating Highland Love (11-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Marchand D'argent (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 15, 20l behind Granville Island (11-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Swiss Art (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, pressing for 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Diamond's Return (10-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
