always towards rear
held up mid-division, headway 9th, chased winner approaching 3 out, jumped left last, one pace
led to 3rd, tracked winner until pushed along approaching 10th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
in touch, headway 10th, every chance 2 out, not quicken run-in
in touch, led briefly 10th, pecked 12th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 12th
close up, jumped left and led 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure
held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, not fluent next, one pace after
always behind, tailed off from 9th
close up, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, effort approaching 3 out, no impression
always behind, weakened and reminders from 7th, pulled up after 3 out
Nonrunner
Cloudy Lane gets a vote of confidence over Bob Hall and a whole host of others including Kilty Storm, Mr Pointment and Abraham Smith. Donald McCain jnr has described Cloudy Lane as one of the most exciting horses in the yard, and after his exploits of last season it is hard to disagree with the new master at Bankhouse. The six-year-old captured the Red Square Final at Haydock on his final start over timber, and began his new career over fences by finishing third to the highly-rated Turko at Aintree 17-days ago. He will be stepped up to three miles gradually, but should have the class to dispose of today's opponents en-route to better things. Bob Hall hails from in in-form stable, but has not been out since January and Jonjo's Irish import will be all the better for this chase introduction. Kilty Storm won a couple of races over hurdles but was nothing special, and stronger claims may be held by Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle fifth Mr Pointment. He and Abraham Smith return from breaks, as does Atlantic Jane, while winning pointer Lenny is also best watched. All in all, Cloudy Lane has class and fitness on his side, so should prove hard to beat.
Abraham Smith 7-1 (11-0) Led 2nd, headed 2 out, weakening when hit last, 6th of 14, 8l behind Gaelic Flight (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Bob Hall (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) In touch, slight mistake 3rd, 4th 4 out, 3rd after 3 out, 2nd and challenged next, stayed on well from last to lead near finish, won at Navan 2m nov hdl sft in Jan beating Nicanor (11-8) by a hd, 5 ran.
Cloudy Lane 7-2 (11-5) With winner, every chance 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Turko (10-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Heez A Dreamer (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) pulled up at the last in race won by Rustic John (12-0) at Barbury Castle 3m ptp gf in Apr, 7 ran.
Kilty Storm (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Mistake 1st, held up, steady headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened soon after 2 out, 9th of 19, 16l behind Monolith (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Lenny Evensfav (12-0) Trckd ldrs; led aft 12; kpt on game u.p flat, won at Garthorpe 3m ptp sft in May beating Pampered Lad (12-0) by 3l, 8 ran.
Mr Pointment (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden next, weakened flat, 5th of 17, 12l behind Nicanor (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Reach For The Top (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led after 2nd and set steady pace, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened quickly soon after, 4th of 6, 12l behind Pirate Flagship (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Robin De La Garde (FR) (10-8) 8th of 12, more than 2l behind Mariana (10-1) at Compiegne 2m 4f amt chs sft in Apr.
Royal Paradise (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, weakened from 6 out, 11th of 12, well behind Asian Maze (11-7) at Punchestown 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Schapiro (USA) 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 4th, mistake next, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, hung right flat, just held on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Jun '05 beating Achilles Wings (11-4) by a shd, 13 ran.
Atlantic Jane 3-1 (11-2) With leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 8, 33l behind Extra Smooth (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Border Tale 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, lost place halfway, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Orki Des Aigles (10-2) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 10 ran.
