held up in rear, shaken up after 4 out, no impression next, plugged on from 2 out, went modest 4th flat
prominent, driven along 7th, 4th and beaten after 3 out, weakened before next
made all, ridden approaching 2 out, clear before last, comfortably
held up in mid-division, hampered 5th, headway after next, weakened after 3 out
in rear, not always fluent, ridden after 7th, well beaten 4 out
held up towards rear, headway before 7th, 3rd after 3 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 1st, weakened after 4 out
prominent, ridden and close 2nd when mistake 2 out, no impression on winner before last, lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, jumped right and awkward 5th, soon lost place, last next, well behind before 4 out, pulled up after
Plenty to ponder here with Chankillo and Degooch returning to hurdles after a spell chasing. Both could play a part and Barrys Jack, though largely disappointing since joining Brian Ellison, will probably pop up sooner rather than later. Ayla's Emperor got back to winning ways over a similar trip at Ffos Las but has been raised 8lb for that success. GOOD TRADITION (NAP) will find this a much easier task than last month’s Chester Cup and is overdue a first win for Donald McCain. With Harry Stock taking off 7lb, the six-year-old looks the one to beat. Western Miller looks best of the rest.
Degooch (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Not fluent, took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon 3rd, no impression on winner, no extra last, 5th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Definite Future (11-6) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Good Tradition (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along 4f out, weakened 2f out, 15th of 17, 12 1/2l behind Montaly (9-6) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May.
Western Miller (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, weakening when blundered and hampered 2 out, finished tired, 4th of 8, dist behind Whatthebutlersaw (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Ayla's Emperor 14-1 (12-0) Ran loose before start, behind, headway into mid-division 3rd, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden to challenge between last 2, led narrowly last, kept on under pressure flat, just held on, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in May beating Bambi Du Noyer (11-11) by nk, 11 ran.
Vincent's Forever 16-1 (10-0) Mistakes, always in rear, lost touch when blundered 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Barrys Jack (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Raced freely, led, headed after 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 4th of 9, 5 1/4l behind As You Like (11-6) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in May.
Marmas 12-1 (10-5) Prominent, mistake 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Arctic Court (10-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Chankillo 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 4th, 2nd from 3 out, no chance with winner, kept on flat, 2nd of 6, 5l behind The Clock Leary (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Over To Midnight 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Jester Jet (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
