held up mid-division, hit 3rd, took closer order 8th, went 2nd going well after 3 out (usual 4 out), shaken up to lead approaching last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, all out
chased leaders to 7th (water), behind from 9th, tailed off 3 out (usual 4 out), soon pulled up
led to 6th, chased leader, blundered 8th, lost place after 3 out (usual 4 out) soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway to track leaders on inside after 3 out (usual 4 out), pushed along turning in, never on terms, weakened from 2 out, tailed off
took keen hold, pressed leader, led 6th, driven when hard pressed turning in, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on under pressure flat
held up behind, headway to track leaders on outside after 3 out (usual 4 out), outpaced turning in, well held in 4th from 2 out
mid-division, disputing 5th when blundered and unseated rider 3 out (usual 4 out)
not always fluent, held up behind, headway after 3 out (usual 4 out), pushed along turning in, never on terms, well beaten from 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along bypassing omitted 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, headway on outside on long run before 2 out, driven into 3rd between last 2, ridden and stayed on to chase winner flat, just held
went right 1st, tracked front pair, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
Master Work has a lot more on his plate than when successful at Fontwell but Mcgroarty has been in terrific form, though will have to defy a further 4lb rise if he’s to complete the four-timer. Saint Calvados also looks weighted to the hilt while Duke Of Navan is hard to win with. Doitforthevillage was disappointing in his comeback run and may need more time but Gino Trail is more than capable of running well fresh and Richard Johnson will have him in the firing-line. Brelan D’As was third in the Grand Annual here in March so is respected on that form but the handicapper may have taken a chance with KNOCKNANUSS. Gary Moore’s nine-year-old looked a smart novice last season before failing to bridge the gap to Grade 1 company and a returning mark of 144 looks more than fair.
Saint Calvados (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Jumped right at times, led, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 9, 24 1/4l behind Altior (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Mcgroarty (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led until 8th, led 4 out, all out, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct beating Theo (10-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
Gino Trail (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed 10th, mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Blundered 1st, in rear, fell heavily 3rd, at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Knocknanuss (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Not fluent, prominent, niggled along and weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Ornua (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Mistake 7th, always towards rear, 9th of 10, 23 3/4l behind The Bay Birch (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Brelan D'As (FR) 6-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, some headway 6th, outpaced after 4 out, tried to close after 2 out, no impression and well held 5th when jumped badly right last, 5th of 13, 25 1/2l behind Moon Over Germany (10-7) at Aintree 2m hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Marracudja (FR) 13-2 (10-6) Held up in rear, mistake 11th, tailed off, 8th of 10, 22 1/2l behind The Bay Birch (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Master Work (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, led after 3 out, hung right after last, kept on under pressure, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Salto Chisco (11-2) by 7l, 6 ran.
Vaniteux (FR) (10-7) 6th of 10, 9l behind It's Jennifer (10-3) at Compiegne 2m 2f hvy in Oct.
Northern Beau (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, went 2nd when no fluent 4th, lost 2nd after 6th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up after 9th, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
