led, hit 5th, headed 9th, led again 17th, ridden when mistake 2 out, ridden out
in touch, hit 5th, driven 3 out, chased winner 2 out, lost 2nd close home
tracked leader, led 9th, headed 17th, soon ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up, ridden and outpaced 5 out, staying on and close up when unseated rider 3 out
held up, headway 14th to track leaders, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, mistake 13th and 14th (water), pulled up soon after and dismounted
There'd be no more popular winner than Take The Stand and we'll take him to send his legions of supporters into ecstasy. You Do The Math and Merchants Friend rate the dangers. The selection, a former high class chaser, has rediscovered his zest for the game of late and turned a Newbury contest into a procession before beating Merchants Friend a head over this course and distance. The selection has to concede a penalty to his old rival this evening but can confirm the form if ridden with more restraint. Mister Friday won back-to-back renewals of this race but isn't in the same form now and You Do The Math appeals as a bigger danger. He should stay this far but he's done his racing over shorter so still has his stamina to prove and didn't fare that well on his previous visit here which swings the vote the way of Take The Stand.
Take The Stand (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 9th, led after 12th, hard pressed when mistake 2 out, headed narrowly last, rallied to regain lead flat, all out, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr beating Merchants Friend (11-7) by a hd, 15 ran.
You Do The Math (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Always prominent, went 2nd 4th, led after 3 out, came clear from 2 out, easily, won at Stratford 2m 7f hts chs (5) sft in Apr beating Flax Hill (10-10) by 10l, 9 ran.
Cannon Bridge (IRE) 9-2 (12-5) Prsd ldrs til outpcd 3 out; rallied app last; stayed on flat, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Cottage River (12-5) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m 2f ptp gd in Apr.
Merchants Friend (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, headway after 17th, challenged 2 out, took narrow advantage and pecked last, rider dropped whip and soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 15, hd behind Take The Stand (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr.
Mister Friday (IRE) 11-4co-fav (12-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, outpaced 11th, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Itzacliche (11-7) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Reflected Glory (IRE) 4-7fav (12-7) Prog 15; led 3 out til hdd & one-pcd last, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Mister Bertolli (12-0) at Tabley 3m ptp in Apr.
