chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, led 2 out until approaching the last, every chance last, ridden and kept on same pace run-in
never better than mid-division, lost place and behind 7th
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 7th, ridden approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
held up towards rear, good headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, challenged last, led towards finish
led, dived at 1st, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, rallied to lead again approaching last, hung right and narrowly headed run-in, rallied and kept on, just held
towards rear, headway on inside approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
chased leaders on outside, weakened before 4 out, soon behind
held up and behind, blundered 3rd, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace run-in
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
always towards rear, never a factor
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until before 4 out, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, chance 2 out, weakened between last 2
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, chasing leaders when fell 2 out
always towards rear, never on terms
towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders and every chance 3 out, mistake and weakened next
chased leader until 5th, remained handy, led 3 out until approaching last, led again run-in, driven and edging left when headed and no extra towards finish
A typically-competitive renewal of this Grade 3 handicap which sees 2015 winner Court Minstrel back for more. WHOLESTONE is following a similar path to last year's winner and stablemate Ballyoptic having run in top novice company last season. He finished third in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March and will probably be aimed at the top staying races this season so is potentially a bit better than a handicapper. River Frost had won three in a row prior to a fair run in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and he still has some scope. Whatduhavtoget is unexposed and also capable of better but Bags Groove probably needs quicker ground than he'll get today. Souriyan has fitness on his side but Sumkindofking rather lost his way in the spring. Louis' Vac Pouch will need a career-best to figure but Sam Spinner is an interesting runner as he could have been found an easier race in which to make his handicap debut. Alary will almost certainly be back over fences after this.
Old Guard 20-1 (11-8) Tracked leader on outer, lost place 4 out, ridden after next, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 8, 18 1/2l behind L'Ami Serge (11-0) at Sandown 2m 5f (1) gd in Apr.
Alary (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 8, 27l behind Un De Sceaux (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
Wholestone (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 3 out, challenged next, every chance between last 2, one pace in 3rd when switched left before last, no impression with front pair after, 3rd of 15, 7 1/2l behind Penhill (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Three Musketeers (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, led briefly before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 11, 37l behind Yanworth (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
Le Rocher (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, 2nd before 4 out, no impression on winner and well held before 2 out, 2nd of 7, 29l behind Camping Ground (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
River Frost 25-1 (10-13) In touch, outpaced after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on under pressure from last, never reached leaders, 9th of 25, 8l behind Supasundae (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-12) Held up in last, carried right 1st, not fluent 4th, outpaced after 2 out, went 4th before last, no impression, 4th of 5, 8l behind Dear Sire (11-3) at Stratford 2m hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Sam Spinner 2-5fav (12-0) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, ridden between last 2, soon clear, hit last, easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb beating Reverant Cust (11-4) by 13l, 6 ran.
Bags Groove (IRE) 1-3fav (11-8) Held up in rear but in touch, headway to chase leaders halfway, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, led before last, ran on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar beating Capeland (11-8) by 6l, 6 ran.
Doesyourdogbite (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon lost place, 19th of 22, dist behind Fountains Windfall (10-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Louis' Vac Pouch (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, soon driven to chase leaders, ridden and ran on strongly flat, challenged closing stages, led final stride, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Oh Land Abloom (11-9) by hd, 10 ran.
Souriyan (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway under pressure on outside after 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, clear last, pushed out, won at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Beau Du Brizais (11-10) by 7l, 9 ran.
Whatduhavtoget (IRE) 3-1fav (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Gilt Shadow (11-2) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 8-1cfav (10-10) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and one pace before last, weakened flat, 12th of 22, 18l behind Rather Be (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Wishing And Hoping (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up last, mistake 6th, pushed along after 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on into never nearer 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 5 1/4l behind River Frost (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Drumcliff (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, brought down at 2nd, at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Milrow (IRE) 66-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, hampered 7th, not fluent 3 out, headway 2 out, stayed on, went 3rd close home, no impression on winner, 3rd of 14, 10 3/4l behind Golden Birthday (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Peak To Peak (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Led until 2 out, chased leader, rallied to lead again last, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gf in Apr beating Jameson (11-5) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
