mid-division, lost place 6th, under pressure 10th, behind 5 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on into modest 4th after last, never nearer
held up in rear, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
behind, headway halfway, weakened 5 out
mid-division, headway 15th, soon chasing leaders, led 4 out, quickened clear after next, all out, held on well
chased leaders, slow 2nd, mistake 13th, weakened before 15th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
tracked leader, mistake 3rd, not fluent 4 out, weakened after 2 out
pulled hard, led 2nd, not fluent 14th, headed 4 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, jumped right 5th, never dangerous
led until 2nd, remained prominent, hard driven after 3 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, staying on under pressure when hung right after last, never reached winner
NonRunner
Duhallow Tornado is the only one of these with recent form under Rules but the Kelso winner only beat FOLLOWING MAMA a length at Thorpe Lodge in January and the latter is 6lb better off. Summer Sounds is held on that run and Diana Ralph’s mare might be worth an interest in this with the accomplished James King doing the steering. Ballybane and Optimised have both been in excellent form in points and can’t be ignored. Alan Hill won this in 2013 and 2014 but Velvet Cognac probably has a bit to find to be competitive in a race like this. Thegirlfrommilan was 0-11 under Rules when with Rebecca Curtis so is another with plenty to prove.
Duhallow Tornado (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) With leader, led before 12th, ridden run-in, held on well, won at Kelso 3m 2f (5) hvy in Apr beating Leavethelighton (11-12) by 3l, 4 ran.
Ballybane (IRE) 6-4jfav (12-0) (tt) lost plce 14; rallied 3 out; led app last; stayed on, won at Cherrybrook 3m in Apr beating Its All Or Nothing (12-3) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Blazing Tom 9-4 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 3 out; led 2 out til hdd app last; rallied flat; just failed, 2nd of 5, shd behind Willem (12-3) at Barbury Racecourse 3m in Apr.
Fortune Bound (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) Bhnd til hdwy 11; went 2nd aft 14; ev ch 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Blackwater Bramble (12-0) at Badbury Rings 3m in Apr.
Mahlers Spirit (IRE) 2-5fav (12-5) Made all; drew clr 15; unchall, won at Horseheath 3m gs in Mar beating Dream Doc (11-7) by 15l, 3 ran.
Mr Maclennane (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) (cp) hdwy 17; led last; hdd cl home, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind You Too Pet (12-0) at High Easter 3m 6f gs in Apr.
Optimised (IRE) 8-11fav (12-0) Led to 5; led 7; drew clr 2 out; stayed on wl, won at Sandon 3m hvy in Mar beating Belton Red Fox (12-0) by 14l, 4 ran.
Summer Sounds (IRE) 2-1fav (12-4) (cp) led 4 til hdd aft 4 out; kpt on one pce, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Glint Of Steel (12-0) at Godstone 3m sft in Apr.
Welsh's Castle (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Ww, 6th 4out, clsr in 3rd 2out & last, sn no ex, onepcd, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Stowaway Forever (11-10) at Loughbrickland 3m mdn sft in Apr.
Following Mama (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Drpd rr 12; lost tch 14; chsd wnr 2 out; no imp, 2nd of 5, 21l behind Late Romantic (12-0) at Bangor-on-dee 3m sft in Mar.
Kalabaloo (IRE) Evens (11-7) Led 14; r.o wl, won at Fakenham 3m gd in Apr beating Steeles Terrace (12-0) by 6l, 2 ran.
Thegirlfrommilan (IRE) 2-5fav (11-7) 2nd til led app 15; unchall, won at Lydstep 3m in Apr beating League Of His Own (12-0) by dist, 5 ran.
Velvet Cognac 3-1 (12-0) (cp) (tt) cl 2nd til led 13; hdd 2 out; rallied flat; led cl home, won at Godstone 3m sft in Apr beating Indian Chance (12-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
