stumbled start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
hampered start, held up, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ridden to go 2nd entering final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, one pace
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, no extra well inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
BENANDONNER readily landed the odds in a seller at Leicester a week ago and comes out best at the weights again here. It's unlikely he'll find this as easy but should still have no problem dispatching today's opposition. The nearest to Mike Murphy's charge on today's terms are Amazing Star and Silenceofthewind and the former had the latter a couple of lengths behind when fourth at Thirsk last time. The remainder make no appeal under these terms though Carnival Dream has the best piece of recent form with a second at Redcar in April.
Amazing Star (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, under pressure over 4f out, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Orpsie Boy (9-0) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Silenceofthewind (USA) 9-1 (8-9) In touch, took keen hold, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 6l behind Orpsie Boy (9-0) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Benandonner (USA) 1-5fav (9-7) Held up in touch, headway on outer over 2f out, soon led, edged right and pushed out, comfortable, won at Leicester 1m sell stks (6) gs beating Mighty Clarets (9-7) by 6l, 6 ran.
Rasselas (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) In touch on inside, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 10th of 15, 16l behind Fazza (9-2) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
King Pin 9-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, some headway over 1f out, never on terms, 8th of 12, 14l behind Ace Master (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Carnival Dream 66-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Zomerlust (9-2) at Redcar 7f sell stks (6) gs in Apr.
River Ardeche 16-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 14, 13l behind Al Muheer (9-7) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 36l behind Violent Velocity (9-9) at Beverley 1m sell stks (6) gs in Apr.