in touch, weakened before 7th, tailed off, soon pulled up
towards rear, pushed along before 6th, weakened after next, soon pulled up
led, headed before 5th, tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and no impression
behind, never dangerous, pulled up 4 out
held up towards rear, headway before 6th to track leaders, weakened from 2 out
with leaders, ridden before 8th, soon weakened, tailed off, soon pulled up
mid-division and keen, headway before 8th, went 3rd from 2 out, one pace
in rear, weakened before 6th, tailed off, soon pulled up
close up, led 5th, clear before 2 out, kept on well
NonRunner
NonRunner
Marley Joe was impressive at Huntingdon but steps up a grade for this under a penalty and also has his stamina to prove. Wincanton runner-up Breaking Bits looks a threat and Astrum arrives off the back of a win at Sedgefield. Jacks Last Hope should be approaching peak fitness but Nicky Henderson may struggle to find a race for Istimraar off his current mark. FAIR TO MIDDLING appreciated the better ground when making all here 12 days ago. He was put up 9lb for that but can follow up as long as the rains stay away.
Istimraar (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, in touch 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened before next, 8th of 11, dist behind Nesterenko (11-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in May.
Jacks Last Hope 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, headway 2 out, kept on to take 4th place towards finish, 4th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Marju's Quest (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
Breaking Bits (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) With leader, led approaching 3rd, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Crookstown (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in May.
Desertmore Hill (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Chased leader, led 5 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Belize (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in May.
Murray Mount (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Mid-division, lost place before 5th, behind from 4 out, 12th of 15, 32 1/2l behind Dazinski (11-4) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Astrum 5-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, closed last, led flat, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Apr beating Dark Diamond (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Wabanaki (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened next, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Number One London (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Wolftrap (10-9) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gs in May.
Vedani (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Henry Smith (10-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in May.
Fair To Middling 14-1 (11-12) Made all, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May beating Mazovian (11-12) by 7l, 12 ran.
Marley Joe (IRE) 15-8fav (11-10) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway after 4th, close 2nd 3 out, led before next, soon clear, mistake last, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (5) gd in May beating Anton Dolin (11-9) by 8l, 12 ran.
