with leader, led 5th, not fluent 9th, ridden and headed last, no extra and lost 2nd place close home
tracked leaders, headway 5 out, challenged on bit 3 out, led last, ran on strongly
led to 5th, reminders and lost place 5 out
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, held in 3rd before last, kept on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
BOLD SIR BRIAN rattled up a hat-trick before finishing fourth in better company at Haydock in March. He hasn't raced since but may still be good enough to land this over what appears to be his best trip. Railway Dillon looks a big danger, however, as he came home unchallenged at Perth in April and should continue on the upgrade while Rival D'Estruval won easily over C&D last month and is another with scope. Mr Moonshine carried 12lb less than when winning this last year but had a recent pipe-opener over hurdles, though may not appreciate the soft going.
Mr Moonshine (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) In touch, led after 8th, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Trucking Along (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Oct.
Bold Sir Brian (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, headway before 9th, went 2nd before 4 out, led approaching and hit 2 out, soon headed, weakened run-in, 4th of 8, 7l behind Chance Du Roy (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Mar.
Railway Dillon (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Reminder leaving start, tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, not fluent next, went 2nd 7th, led next, blundered and headed 10th, mistake 11th (water), led again before 3 out, soon well clear, trotted over line, won at Perth 3m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr beating Moleskin (10-9) by 39l, 4 ran.
Rival D'Estruval (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders halfway, led approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) hvy in Oct beating Changing Times (11-4) by 11l, 7 ran.
