held up towards rear, in rear before 5 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, led approaching and going well when not fluent last, hung right run-in and headed, just held on for 2nd place close home
led to 6th, led again 10th, pushed along after 6 out, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened next
close up, jumped right 3rd and 6th, led 4 out, headed approaching last, rallied run-in, just held for 2nd close home
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
close up, led 6th, headed 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, regained lead run-in, kept on well
LORD GENEROUS is the marginal selection in a tightly-matched race. With his yard in good form, this Dai Walters-owned gelding has his first start of the season today. Although he signed off by failing to complete in an Aintree Grade One, he is better rated on his solid fifth to Pause And Clause at Cheltenham. Earth Planet is the highest rated but this course winner is not always the most resolute when the chips are down, so a bigger threat might be City Theatre who shapes as if this longer trip will suit as he matures. Theophrastus is a lovely looker and after an aborted chase start last November he is not discounted back over hurdles on ground that should suit. Winterwood and Keel Road complete the field, with the former, a winner of two starts since coming over from Ireland, looking the bigger danger.
City Theatre (IRE) 22-1 (10-2) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, 21st of 28, 41l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Earth Planet (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, effort on outside approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 8th of 14, 22l behind Picture This (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Lord Generous 9-1 (11-4) In touch in main group, lost place after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Wayward Prince (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Theophrastus (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Led, awkward and headed 2nd, tracked leader until 9th, mistake next, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 4th of 7, 19l behind Awesome George (10-12) at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) gd in Nov.
Winterwood (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, 4th and weakening when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Quinz (10-10) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Keel Road (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked winner, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 8, 15l behind Dover's Hill (11-2) at Exeter 3m beg chs (4) gd.
