held up in last pair, headway 7th, ridden and not quicken before last, 3rd and stayed on same pace flat
tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, lost 2nd before last, faded into 5th flat
held up in last pair, slow 3 out, closed 2 out, outpaced before last, went 4th and stayed on same pace flat
held up in 4th, closed 2 out, 2nd going ok before last, pressing winner at hurdle, held flat, stayed on
chased leaders, took keen hold, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last
made all, ridden after 2 out, pressed last, edged right flat, stayed on well
NonRunner
NonRunner
Copain De Classe will have to prove he handles this quicker surface and he steps up a grade but his novice form is decent. Poker School has been chasing and has had a break but is no slouch over the smaller obstacles and his yard continues in good form. Red Tornado is another representing in-form connections and he won a Listed handicap on summer ground last July. Silverhow was only beaten a length at Uttoxeter last time having won earlier at Sandown but we’re prepared to forgive LITHIC a poor run at the same track. Starting favourite for a Grade 3, he was never seen with a chance but this is much less competitive and dropping back to 2m shouldn’t be a problem.
Red Tornado (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway before 2 out, 4th when hit 2 out, kept on into 3rd run-in, pressed for 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Valhalla (11-9) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Solatentif (FR) 7-2 (11-11) Chased leading pair until 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened run-in, lost 4th close home, 5th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Cool Sky (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Poker School (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Jumped left in early stages, held up last, steady headway on outside tracking leaders approaching 12th, 2nd travelling well after 4 out, led 3 out, went left next, 2 lengths ahead approaching last, driven out, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Two Taffs (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Lithic (IRE) 6-1fav (10-11) Held up in rear, headway on outside before 2 out, no impression, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 27 3/4l behind Minella Awards (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Nabhan 12-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 31 3/4l behind Who Dares Wins (10-0) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Silverhow (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway after 4 out, 3rd 3 out, 2nd before next, stayed on flat, always being held, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Classic Tune (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Copain De Classe (FR) 6-5fav (11-6) Made all, jumped well, drew clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Mar beating Azzuri (11-6) by 8l, 8 ran.
Bobble Emerald (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Chased winner until 2 out, soon ridden in 3rd, weakened between last 2, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 29l behind St Saviour (11-4) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
