led and soon clear, joined between last 2, not fluent and narrowly headed last, rallied near finish, always just held
held up in touch, outpaced 7th, headway on inner approaching 2 out, switched right run in, kept on same pace
held up in rear, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
chased clear leader, blundered 2nd, mistake 3rd, lost 2nd approaching 2 out and soon weakened
in rear, mistake and ridden 6th, tailed off approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
held up and behind, mistake 6th, steady headway to track leaders next, weakened approaching 2 out
held up and behind, steady headway 7th, soon tracked leaders, chased leader approaching 2 out, challenged and led last, driven and kept on well run in
prominent, chased clear leader 6th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
well in rear, kept on under pressure from after 3 out but never a danger
took keen hold, held up in touch, effort 7th, weakened after 3 out, blundered last, tailed off
Grey Report is a likeable individual who can take this decent prize, with Brewster and Sweet Diversion the ones to chase him home. The selection is a real gutsy sort who finished third in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle and followed up by going a place better in Grade 1 company at Aintree last time. Unless those two efforts have 'bottomed' him, he looks to have the ability to give weight away all around and make all to win this. Brewster receives 8lb here and while he has ability it is unlikely to be enough to help him win. The Ian Williams-trained gelding put in his best effort behind Tardar and Iris's Gift at Haydock in February, but that was on soft ground and the ground is not in his favour here. Even so, he is genuine and consistent if you forgive his latest outing at the Festival, and he can go well. Trip and ground will suit Sweet Diversion, whose fourth to Control Man in the Imperial Cup reads well, and with a month to get over those exertions, he comes here fresh enough and he is likely to give the selection most to do. At these weights Copsale Lad would also have to have a chance of making the frame, but for the selection we will side with Grey Report.
