chased leaders, disputing 2nd when mistake 3 out, weakening when mistake next
led, clear 2nd until 4th, ridden and headed after 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, closed 4th, 2nd after 3 out, led after 2 out, not fluent last, idled flat, ridden out
not that fluent, chased leader until after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up in 4th until mistake and lost place at the 4th, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
held up in 5th, mistake 4th, weakened 4 out, well behind when mistake 2 out
slowly away, always behind, well tailed off 4 out, pulled up after
LIEUTENANT GRUBER’s third behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Pingshou at Cheltenham in December is form that is in a different league to anything achieved by his rivals and he can shrug off an absence since to open his account. Jardin Des Plantes didn’t fare badly at Kelso last month and has place prospects again but Flat winner Newera is not progressing over hurdles. Danseur Du Large may be capable of better but the others are harder to fancy.
Derrydoon 12-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th, hit 2nd, 3rd before 4 out until 4 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 5, 21 3/4l behind Burrenbridge Hotel (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Jardin Des Plantes (FR) 16-1 (11-0) In touch chasing group, close up in 3rd after 3 out, ridden to chase winner after next, kept on, no extra when lost 2nd and edged left towards finish, 3rd of 9, 5 1/4l behind Midnite Grace (10-7) at Kelso 2m 2f mdn (5) sft in Apr.
Lieutenant Gruber (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, 3rd from last, stayed on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Pingshou (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec.
Newera 20-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 3rd, ridden next, not fluent 5th, well beaten after 3 out, 9th of 10, 30 3/4l behind Attest (10-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in May.
Present Destiny (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on inside, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 28 3/4l behind Lalor (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (6) hvy in Mar.
Danseur Du Large (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Held up in last pair, took keen hold, bumped 1st, not fluent 5th, outpaced after 2 out, soon weakened, modest 4th before last, 4th of 6, 23 1/2l behind Zipple Back (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gd in May.
Njorls Saga 150-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 11, dist behind Momella (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (3) gd in May.
