held up in touch, headway before 5 out, ridden before 3 out, chased winner after last, always held
mid-division, weakened before 4 out, pulled up
close up, not fluent 9th, ridden and every chance before last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in
close up, led from 4th, kept on well run-in, driven out
led to 4th, weakened from 12th
in rear, headway 4 out, in 4th and one pace
held up in touch, weakened before 4 out, pulled up
CYRIEN STAR (NAP) has won three times over hurdles and was having just his third start over fences when taking advantage of a last-fence fall by the leader to snatch victory at Stratford. Richard Johnson partners him again and with the longer trip certain to suit he can complete a double. Shinooki completed a Fakenham double in January but shot up the weights and was well beaten on his final start in March. Basford Ben is a mudlark has who won three times over this sort of trip at Carlisle and unless the ground turns heavy he may struggle to go the pace. Playing The Field completed a double in the spring of last year but didn't reappear until October. He started favourite that day but looked in need of the run then jumped poorly on fast going at Leicester. He's no forlorn from this sort of mark if getting his act together.
Valleyofmilan (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in last pair, closer 6th, mistake and reminder 10th, outpaced 4 out, left modest 4th 2 out, kept same pace under pressure on run-in, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Cobajayisland (11-1) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Shinooki (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Always behind, pulled up after 9th, at Haydock 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Alto Des Mottes (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division but in touch, under pressure 5 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 34 1/4l behind Fourth Act (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Cyrien Star 3-1fav (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 8th, close up 2 out, outpaced when left 2nd last, rallied flat, stayed on to lead close home, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Shockingtimes (11-10) by nk, 10 ran.
Basford Ben 20-1 (11-2) In touch, joined leader 7th, slow next, weakened 10th, pulled up before 6 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Tiny Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, mistakes 7th and 14th, never involved, poor 6th when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Playing The Field (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Held up in touch and keen, dropped to rear after 4th, struggling from 10th, pulled up before 3 out, at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (4) gf in Nov.
