held up tracking leading trio, went 3rd at 8th, pushed along before 3 out, driven before 2 out, stayed on same pace between last 2, never able to challenge
took keen hold, raced wide tracking leading trio, hit 4th, lost 3rd at 8th, pushed along before 3 out, soon not quicken, went 3rd flat, never able to challenge
whipped round at start and refused to race
held up last, steady headway on inside travelling well before 3 out, switched left before next, went 3rd between last 2, chased leader before last, ridden to lead final 100 yards
chased clear leader, closed to lead narrowly before 3 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, chased leader until driven between last 2, weakened before last
given clear lead start, ridden and narrowly headed before hit 3 out, led again next, kept on gamely until no extra and headed final 100 yards, kept trying
Nonrunner
It's unusual to only see seven runners in one of these qualifiers but it still looks a decent contest. Five Dreams was set some stiff tasks last season and can't be discounted with Ryan Mahon taking off 3lb but Stars Du Granits was well beaten at Musselburgh when trying to follow up his Taunton win and this trip may stretch his stamina. CAPTAIN SUNSHINE wasn't unduly punished at Cheltenham on his reappearance once his chance had gone. He was a progressive sort in the spring and can get back to winning ways here getting a couple of pounds from Irish Grand National third Alfie Sherrin, who will be back over fences sooner rather than later. The remainder have something to prove racing from out of the handicap.
Five Dream (FR) 25-1 (10-3) 12th of 18, 15l behind Thousand Stars (10-12) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 5f Grd 2 hdl sft in May.
Alfie Sherrin 10-1 (10-9) Rear of mid-division, headway into 8th 5 out, ridden into 6th 2 out, stayed on into moderate 3rd last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 29, 12l behind Lion Na Bearnai (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Ext hcp ch gs in Apr.
Captain Sunshine 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway after next, ridden approaching 2 out, beaten before last, weakened flat, 6th of 23, 21l behind Bondage (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Oct.
Stars Du Granits (FR) 6-4fav (12-0) Held up in last pair, steady headway 6th, chased leaders 8th, well outpaced approaching 3 out, driven before next, left 3rd and hampered next, well held when left modest 2nd run-in, 2nd of 10, 18l behind Parson's Punch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Moorland Sunset 20-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 10th of 11, 31l behind Harry Hunt (11-9) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Lundy Sky 13-2 (11-5) Led until 5th, chased winner until next, stayed on same pace in 3rd from 4 out, 3rd of 11, 15l behind African Broadway (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '11.
Amigo (FR) (10-5) 7th of 8, 29l behind Pythagore (10-12) at Enghien(FR) 2m 6f chs gs in Apr.
