held up in rear, steady headway 4 out, soon tracking leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led before and 2 lengths ahead when blundered last, soon driven and just held on in driving finish
took keen hold, tracked leader after 1st, led 4 out, headed before last, 3rd and looked held when squeezed out on stands rail after last
took keen hold, held up in 6th, headway to 4th before 4 out, weakened before next
held up in 7th, headway to 3rd on long run to 4 out, challenged in close 2nd when blundered and dropped to 3rd 2 out, squeezed through, rallied well and left with chance as winner blundered last, driven and strong run close home, just failed
led, hit 1st, hung right on long run to 4 out, headed 4 out, weakened from 2 out
took keen hold, tracked leading pair until weakened on long run to 4 out
held up in touch, headway to 3rd after 3rd until weakened before 4 out, tailed off
chased leading trio, hit 2nd, weakened on long run to 4 out, tailed off
This race usually goes to a decent prospect and weight is no barrier to success so fans of ESCORT'MEN need not fret on that score. His in and out profile is a little more worrying but he was very impressive when winning at Kempton and could take all the beating on that form although he'll need to settle better than he did last season if he's to fulfil his potential. George Nympton represents a yard that took this with a lightweight last year but the gelding doesn't seem to be in the same class and has already been beaten by Olofi. Tom George's runner, a winner on this card last year, disappointed in the second half of last season but remains a decent prospect and is feared most although the remainder should not be underestimated.
Escort'men (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, no impression, 6th of 9, 18l behind General Miller (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Westlin' Winds (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked clear leader to before 2 out, soon weakened, 14th of 17, well behind Soldatino (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Barwell Bridge 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, effort before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 17, 15l behind Soldatino (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Olofi (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and no impression, 4th of 11, 12l behind Orsippus (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Rougham 3-1fav (11-12) Led at decent pace, dived at 2nd, joined 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened from last, 6th of 11, 8l behind Alhaque (10-9) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Troubletimestwo (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Behind, driven after 3 out, headway on outside, ridden and edged right before 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Alhaque (10-9) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
George Nympton (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, no headway 3 out, stayed on flat, never nearer, 8th of 24, 17l behind Sanctuaire (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Prince Pippin (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Struggling after 2nd, soon in rear, tailed off 5th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Sanctuaire (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
