behind, mistake 5th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up 9th
tracked leader, led before 4 out, clear 2 out, driven out
behind, headway 10th, ridden and mistake 13th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, under pressure 11th, soon weakened
led, jumped right throughout, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, lost place 7th, ridden 9th, soon no impression
held up, driven 11th, headway next, soon chasing leaders, mistake 3 out, soon hung right, weakened before last
held up, mistake 3rd, headway 9th, soon one pace
prominent, keen hold, ridden to challenge 3 out, stayed on same pace
Sahara Legend is taken to get the better of Day du Roy and Major Belle. The selection was having his first run for his new trainer when an encouraging third behind Incorporation at Worcester last time. That was an improvement on the form he had shown in Ireland and with this quicker ground expected to suit he should go very close. Day du Roy won well over this course and distance last time but he is more exposed than our selection and although he should again run his race he is taken on today. Major Belle won well last time at Market Rasen over 3m1f when the step-up in trip seemed to suit, so it is a bit of a puzzle why she is dropped back to this distance today and with this in mind she looks opposable. Jendali Lad has won over hurdles on this course and he could be worth a look in the market. However, there may be more to come from Sahara Legend who is taken to score.
Sharaab (USA) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway when hampered 3 out, soon under pressure and one pace, 5th of 12, 9l behind Beau Nash (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Romany Dream 9-2 (10-8) Led until after 4th, with winner, ridden and every chance 3 out, 3rd and held when mistakes next, weakened last, 4th of 5, 18l behind Vingis Park (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Explosive Fox (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, driven 12th, lost touch 14th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Super Judge (10-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr, 5 ran.
Rifleman (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up, headway and effort approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 11, 22l behind Delaware Trail (10-0) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Day du Roy (FR) 6-1 (10-8) Made all, jumped slowly 13th, pressed from 3 out, driven and stumbled on landing last, rallied and stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr beating Dalriath (10-12) by a hd, 6 ran.
Major Belle (FR) 9-1 (10-3) Chased leader, led 4 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, kept on, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr beating Aston (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sahara Legend 5-1 (10-6) Held-up behind leaders, headway approaching 3 out, every chance last, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Incorporation (10-5) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Jendali Lad 9-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, ridden next, went 2nd last, stayed on just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Lord Rosskit (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.