Sergeant Pink has won around here in the past but probably isn’t the force of old and has been raised 6lb for landing a lesser contest at Perth earlier this month. Pekanheim has only won once in the last two years and is likely to find at least one too good again. Leanna Ban has been thereabouts lately but is on a long losing run and probably still too high in the weights. QUICK BREW doesn’t win often but was staying on when second over a shorter trip last time at Sedgefield and Daragh Bourke’s claim could give him the edge today.
Welsh Bard (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Tracked leader, led 7 out, ridden before 2 out, clear before last, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gf in Sep beating Groomed (11-11) by 17l, 6 ran.
Leanna Ban 7-2 (11-3) Towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 7, 10 1/2l behind Strongly Suggested (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 11th, behind when pulled up after next, at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Gleann Na Ndochais (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) In touch, in 5th, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 15 1/4l behind Palm Grey (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Quick Brew 7-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, closed 10th, 2nd from after 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Banny's Lad (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in May.
Little Jimmy 10-1 (10-12) Soon chased leaders on outer, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Agincourt Reef (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Sergeant Pink (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, driven to challenge next, every chance 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May beating Ryalex (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Pekanheim (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, led 8th, headed last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind No Such Number (10-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May.
Tayarat (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, pulled up before 7th, at Southwell 2m hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Trillerin Minella (IRE) 125-1 (11-11) In touch, reminders and lost place after 6th, tailed off from next, last of 13, dist behind Miss Conway (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Alchimix (FR) 8-1 (10-13) In rear on outside, not fluent 7th, pushed along next, behind 9th, pulled up before 10th, at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Dursey Sound (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway after 13th, chased winner between last 2 to before last, ridden and kept on same pace in 3rd flat, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Hattons Hill (10-3) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
