led, clear 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on
chased leaders, left 3rd 3 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, left 2nd after 3 out, ridden to lead last, driven out
in rear, slightly hampered 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, about 6 lengths down in 2nd when stumbled and unseated rider after 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
Nonrunner
Ajman has won his last two starts for Evan Williams, latterly when landing a handicap at Ffos Las, but a 7lb penalty for that success makes completing the hat-trick today more difficult and it may be worth taking a chance with the reappearing GARRULOUS, who is preferred to Tzora. The last mentioned disappointed on his flat racing debut at Goodwood last month but had won well at Wincanton previously and he looks to be reasonably well treated on a mark of 112 judged by that performance. Don McCain's Danny Zuko has slipped to a fair mark and has to be respected but he needs to improve on recent form to trouble the judge. French import Marc Aurele was well held on his handicap debut for Paul Nicholls at Newbury in March but won well enough in a novices' hurdle at Wincanton last time to suggest that he cannot be ruled out but preference is for Garrulous. Formerly with Nicky Richards and Gary Moore, the seven-year-old now makes his debut for Tim Vaughan on his first start for 538 days and he may be worth siding with given his new trainer's ability at getting one ready from former yards.
Marc Aurele (IRE) 3-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, led from 1st, clear approaching 4th, ridden approaching last, kept on well, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Gremlin (10-12) by 11l, 4 ran.
Garrulous (UAE) 5-1 (10-8) Mistake 3rd, towards rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner between last 2, no impression when hit last, 4th of 13, 10l behind Palomar (9-13) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec '07.
Danny Zuko (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, led, edged left and looked awkward bend after last, soon headed, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Dunaskin (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in May.
Phoenix Eye 28-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, always behind, 13th of 14, 36l behind Akram (11-6) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd in Nov.
Ajman (IRE) 15-2 (10-3) Tracked leader until before 1st, prominent, challenge bypassing ommited 2 out, led after bypassing ommited last, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf beating Screaming Brave (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Obara d'Avril (FR) 16-1 (10-1) In rear, hit 3rd, some headway approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, well behind Flower Haven (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Tzora 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led after 2 out, hard ridden last, stayed on well flat, won at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Blue Spartan (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
