held up in touch and keen, went 2nd before last going well, badly hampered by faller and left in lead soon after last, kept on strongly
in touch, headway before 4 out, well held when left poor 3rd from last, one pace
led, about a length up when fell last
towards rear, pushed along from 5 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, lost place from 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 3 out until after next, left 2nd from last, one pace
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
SIMON SQUIRREL (NAP) could only muster the one pace under a big weight in a Cheltenham handicap earlier this month so this longer trip should suit. He will probably be going chasing next year but could sign off over hurdles with a victory here. Curious Carlos was beaten when falling at Aintree but that was his first outing since August and was probably needed. He has a double penalty but can't be ruled out while Ascotdeux Nellerie is another who will have benefited from a recent run when third at Ludlow. Eminent Poet arrives off the back of a second at Ffos Las but has shown his best form so far on ground with plenty of give.
Curious Carlos 18-1 (10-8) Raced keenly, in touch on outside, led after 4th, headed when not fluent 2 out, soon lost place, weakening when fell last, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Ascotdeux Nellerie (FR) 15-8 (11-9) In touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied before last, ran on flat, just failed to get 2nd, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Rejaah (10-2) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Mar.
Simon Squirrel (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up in touch, challenged after 2 out, ridden and not pace of front pair last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 14, 10 1/2l behind Minellaforleisure (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Fly Du Charmil (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in rear but in touch, pushed along after 3rd, soon detached with one other, never dangerous, 5th of 6, dist behind Bigbadjohn (11-0) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Apr.
Pray For A Rainbow 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 4th and reminder, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Ozzie The Oscar (11-11) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Apr.
Verygoodverygood (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, 36l behind Rainy City (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Bringewood Blue (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not always fluent, not much room 4th, outpaced 3 out, no impression, well beaten next, 5th of 8, 19 3/4l behind Buckskin Boulta (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Apr.
Eminent Poet 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Potters Corner (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) sft in Apr.
Officer Hoolihan 7-4fav (11-0) Held up in last pair, mistake 4 out, headway on inside approaching 2 out, went 3rd between last two, kept on but never going pace of winner, 3rd of 7, 11 3/4l behind Vive Le Roi (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
