held up towards rear, pushed along, headway 4 out, one pace from 2 out
prominent, lost place 4th, tailed off from 7th
made most, raced freely, shaken up approaching last, kept on well
held up mid-division, headway when blundered 8th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden after 3 out, chased winner last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, weakened from 7th
chased winner from 2nd until 7th, rallied to chase winner 2 out until last, one pace
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up toward rear, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, effort approaching 3 out, chased leaders when hampered 2 out, soon weakened
held up, weakened from 8th
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened
always toward rear, weakened approaching 3 out
Apollo Creed is preferred to Archduke Ferdinand and Mega Steps. The selection boxed on well to win over two miles at Uttoxeter on his return to hurdling after a couple of runs over fences and should have no problem seeing out this longer trip. He's unexposed and is taken to defy his penalty. Archduke Ferdinand has proved a little frustrating over hurdles, finishing in the frame five times in nine starts but failing to get his head in front. He should be in the mix again as should Nakoma who is nothing if not consistent but neither appeals as being well enough handicapped to win. Yeoman Spirit and Mega Steps are two unexposed runners for whom market support would be of interest. The former has contested three novice hurdles won by smart sorts and tackles a realistic assignment for the first time now whilst the latter has shown enough in three runs in Ireland to suggest that he could figure on his first run for new connections. Both are interesting but we'll take Apollo Creed to deliver the knock out punch.
Archduke Ferdinand (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway from 7th, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Inghwung (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Mega Steps (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 5th 3 out, ridden in 6th before 2 out, stayed on to 4th last, kept on, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Strolling Home (11-2) at Tramore 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Apr.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 3rd of 16, 25l behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Flexible Friend (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent when stumbled and fell 4 out in race won by Chapoturgeon (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Olympian (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened before last, 7th of 12, 40l behind Swampy Blue (9-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Champagne Cocktail (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Held up in touch, mistake 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, tired jump last, 3rd of 7, 46l behind Adroit Approach (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Nakoma (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd and not fluent 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind First De La Brunie (9-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 9-2fav (11-2) Held up in touch, headway 6th, led 3 out, held on well towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf beating Akram (11-2) by 1l, 16 ran.
Giveusaclue (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up, mistake 6th, ridden after 8th, soon struggling, 7th of 9, well behind Phardessa (10-10) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Apr.
Bobs Hope (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Never a factor, 13th of 15, well behind Tryptronic (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 gs in Apr.
Aintnonancy 16-1 (10-11) Held up, took closer order 3rd, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, 17l behind Doubly Sharp (10-7) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
Golden Oak (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, struggling 11th, hampered 13th, headway 14th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, well behind Hazeljack (9-7) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar.
Twenti Twenti (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In touch in chasing group, headway to chase leaders 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened run-in, 4th of 14, 8l behind Pochard (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl (5) gs.
Boston Mondain (FR) 100-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden 4th, pushed along and lost place 7th, no chance when pulled up in race won by Canalturn (10-7) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr, 12 ran.
