chased leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, challenged from 3 out, every chance and drifted right flat, no extra close home
in touch, not fluent 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up behind, headway after 7th, soon ridden, weakened after next
mid-division, dropped rear 5th, never a danger after
held up towards rear, headway 7th, joined leaders 3 out, led 2 out, not fluent last, hung left flat, all out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, hampered next
mid-division, headway after 4th, weakened 6th
led after 1st, ridden and narrowly headed when fell 3 out
led until after 1st, chased leader, ridden into narrow advantage 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace
A poor finale with the nod going to Bucks just ahead of Adlestrop and Dance Hall Diva. Bucks is still a maiden as a nine year old over hurdles but did win three on the flat for Dean Ivory and did run a fine race last time out at Fakenham to suggest that he can braek his maiden tag soon. This looks the perfect opportunity to do so. Adlestrop has bits and bobs of form but mostly has been disappointing. He did finish a good second at Newcatle at the turn of the year and that would be good enough to be considered here. Dance Hall Diva is unexposed and has some half decent form. He looks to be an improver and looks the one to give most trouble to the selection. But for the winner we return to Bucks.
Adlestrop 16-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 14, 8l behind Cirrious (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Pagan Sky (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, 24l behind Tech Eagle (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Miss Midnight 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakening when mistake 3 out, 12th of 14, well behind Cirrious (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Sturbury 66-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 8l behind Cirrious (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Bucks 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Colophony (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 100-1 (10-10) Held up, mistake 3 out, stayed on from after 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 16, 37l behind Bureaucrat (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Dance Hall Diva 25-1 (9-12) Keen hold, chased leaders until weakened approaching 6th, 6th of 11, 27l behind Pace Shot (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
City Affair 14-1 (10-11) Unruly start, always behind, 6th of 13, well behind Court One (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf in Jun.