held up behind, smooth headway before 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and always held run-in
led to 3rd, weakened from 4 out
always behind, pulled up
mid-division, headway 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on
chased leaders, weakened from 2 out
chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, weakened before last
close up, led from 3rd, kept on well from last
Nonrunner
Many to consider although Sleep In First would have been the choice if anywhere near the level which saw him rattle up a hat-trick last autumn, including over course and distance. However, he's shown nothing in two recent runs and is best watched. Amilliontimes is another possible but an absence since last November is a concern. Captain Brown represents the local yard and arrives on the back of a cosy Kelso success and Nico de Boinville is booked but he's yet to shine in four starts at this track, whilst stablemate May's Boy has presumably been prepared with this in mind after a pipe-opener on the level just five days ago.Scotsbrook Legend and Gurkha Brave are also considered but the choice is RESTRAINT OF TRADE. He's gone well in better class than this, is open to improvement after a handful of starts over timber and the ascending star that is Sean Bowen has been booked for the ex-Godolphin gelding.
Captain Brown 9-2 (11-3) Held up behind, headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, went 2nd 2 out, switched right to challenge approaching last, soon ridden, led narrowly flat, just held on, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar beating Peters Grey (10-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sleep In First (FR) 11-2 (11-4) With leader, hit 10th, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 29l behind Grey Life (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Apr.
Scotsbrook Legend 9-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, chased leaders last, never on terms, 5th of 15, 12l behind Astre De La Cour (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Gurkha Brave (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Prominent, led 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon hard pressed, all out, held on gamely, won at Kelso 2m 2f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd in Apr beating Ballyvoque (11-3) by nk, 13 ran.
Short Takes (USA) 20-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Another Journey (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Amilliontimes (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led before 5 out, headed next, rallied 2 out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Claude Carter (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m con hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Endeavor 25-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, behind 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Five O'clock Tea (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Morning With Ivan (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 12, 22l behind Bertie Moon (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in Apr.
Restraint of Trade (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Disputed lead until hit and led 5th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Ruler Of All (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
May's Boy 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, struggling when mistake 4 out, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Chieftain's Choice (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
