led until after 1st, pressed leader, led before 6th, headed last, held after, kept on
soon held up in touch, lost place after 8th, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, outpaced after 2 out, 3rd and no impression last, lost 3rd close home
prominent, not much room and lost place after 1st, reminder after 3rd, slow and more reminders 5th, not fluent and behind from next
held up, headway before 7th, challenged after 2 out, led last, in command after, kept on well
held up in rear, headway after 8th, not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced and no impression
held up, close d7th, every chance after 2 out, 4th and beaten when not fluent last, went 3rd close home
soon prominent, led after 1st, headed before 6th, hung left briefly before not fluent 7th, lost place before 2 out, tailed off
ROCK OF LEON is a smooth traveller and can defy the latest rise in the ratings imposed by the handicapper after a comfortable enough success at Worcester. He doesn't always find that much at the end of his races - seemingly idling at times - so hopefully Nathan Moscrop can finesse him into contention at the right time on this lengthy run-in. Doctor Thea showed improved form when scoring at Market Rasen and should contend once more, although a 9lb rise for that victory does seem rather harsh. Volcanic takes in his second start since wind surgery and has enjoyed things around here before so is very much one for the shortlist, whilst keep an eye on Wood Breizh in the market as the ex-Willie Mullins gelding was a fair sort at his best in Ireland and now has a first run since a wind operation.
Volcanic (FR) 10-3fav (11-9) In touch on inside, ridden after 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened from last, 8th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Tyrell (11-11) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Wood Breizh (FR) 50-1 (10-2) Not fluent 2nd, mid-division on inside, lost place and behind 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Rock Of Leon 13-8fav (11-5) In touch, led 4 out, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Worcester 2m 4f (5) gd in May beating Searching (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Doctor Thea 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, kept on run-in, held on well towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in May beating Bentons Lad (11-7) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
Allfredandnobell (IRE) 9-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Ingleby Hollow (9-10) at Wetherby 1m 6f hcp (6) gs in May.
Stags Leap (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 12, 29 3/4l behind The Compeller (10-9) at Perth 2m hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Perseid (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Pressed leader, ridden and lost place before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 11th of 16, dist behind My Escapade (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in May.
Exit To Freedom 66-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Monthyne (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in May.
