held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, headway when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division when bad mistake 1st, soon pulled up
in touch in mid-division, hit 5th, closed 3 out, not fluent last, no extra and lost 4th close home
led, slow 2nd, bumped and headed, stayed handy, jumped right 5th, not fluent next, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway on outside when hit 4 out, one pace when not fluent last, weakened flat
mid-division, struggling 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 3 out, some headway before last, no chance
held up in rear, headway on inside 3 out, not clear run and lost place on home bend, no impression after
mid-division, headway 3 out, lost place 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, lost place before next
held up towards rear, closed 3 out, ridden and stayed on same pace flat
mid-division, pushed along after 5th, well beaten 4 out
held up towards rear, headway on outside 4th, ridden and disputing 3rd on last bend, edged left after last, kept on
in touch in mid-division, headway 6th, mistake 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat, led post
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway approaching last, never troubled leaders
prominent, bumped and led 2nd, headed next, led 5th, stayed on well flat, headed post
prominent, led 3rd, not fluent next, headed 5th, ridden and lost place 3 out
in touch in mid-division, effort when not fluent 3 out, hit 2 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, not clear run briefly last bend, went 3rd flat, stayed on well, unable to challenge front pair
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, stayed on same pace approaching last
Tim Vaughan won this last year and will fancy his chances again with recent Warwick winner Canton Prince. Court Minstrel is undoubtedly well treated nowadays but on a long losing run. The returning Mr Antolini and First Assignment should be monitored for any market support and Gordon Elliott runs both High Expectations, who scored at Sedgefield last month, and Limerick winner Water Sprite. Lungarno Palace won easily at Stratford and remains unexposed while Vive Le Roi has won a couple of times at Stratford lately. BRILLARE MEMENTO won on this card 12 months ago and later at Towcester. She ran a nice race on her reappearance behind a race-fit Really Super at Worcester and it will be a surprise if she doesn’t turn that form on its head on better terms – Martin Keighley’s mare should give supporters a run for their money. Roi De Dubai and last year’s fifth Trans Express have each-way claims but the others will need to take a step forward to win this.
Golden Birthday (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, last when jumped left 5th and given reminder, well beaten 4 out, tailed off, 17th of 18, dist behind Garo De Juilley (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Brillare Momento (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leader until 3rd, 2nd again before 5th, every chance 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Really Super (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Mr Antolini (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway before 4 out, close 3rd when hampered 2 out, left 2nd last, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Vado Forte (10-4) at Plumpton 2m hcp (2) hvy in Apr.
And The New (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Led to 2 out, in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Michael's Mount (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb.
Canton Prince (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, led on bend before next, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Voodoo Doll (11-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Fortunate George (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 20, dist behind Mr Big Shot (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
High Expectations (FR) 5-4fav (11-6) Keen, held up last, not fluent 3rd, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, ridden between last 2, went 2nd run-in, stayed on strongly to lead near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Apterix (10-6) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, ran on flat, never nearer, 7th of 18, 4 1/4l behind Garo De Juilley (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Melody Of Scotland (FR) 11-4fav (11-7) Off the pace in 5th, closer after 5th, 4th after next until approaching 2 out, plugged on, 6th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Phoenix Dawn (10-9) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Whatthebutlersaw (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Held up in 5th, headway into 3rd after 3 out, led 2 out, clear when blundered badly rider lost irons and veered badly right run-in, soon recovered and in command, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Sensible Friend (10-11) by 6l, 7 ran.
Water Sprite (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leader, 5th at 4th, good headway into 3rd after 3 out, 4th 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on strongly to lead close home, won at Limerick 2m hcp gd in Oct beating Drakaina (10-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Good Tradition (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 3rd, 2nd normal 4 out, weakened before omitted last, 7th of 8, 28 1/2l behind Go Another One (10-8) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Lungarno Palace (USA) 4-9fav (11-4) Made all, not fluent 5th, mistake 2 out, soon driven and strongly challenged when mistake last, kept on well under pressure, won at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Oct beating Finley's Eyes (10-12) by nk, 5 ran.
First Assignment (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden and went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 17, 13l behind Sam's Gunner (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-12) Held up in last, fell 6th, at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Vive Le Roi (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Made all, driven clear approaching last, easily, won at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Sleep Easy (11-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Roi De Dubai (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Held up in 5th, slight mistake 4th and not fluent next, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression, 5th of 6, 8l behind Slippery Serpent (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Really Super 11-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, quickened away nicely after last, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Peggies Venture (10-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Christmas In April (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Keen, held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, ridden on inside before next, switched right before the last, stayed on well run-in, led post, won at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May beating Quiz Master (12-0) by ns, 13 ran.
Trans Express (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Led, strongly challenged after 3 out, headed before last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Ballinure (11-9) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
