held up in last pair, some headway after 3rd, outpaced early straight over 3f out
held up in 6th, headway to 3rd bypassing ommited 2 out, chased winner after bypassing ommited last, hung badly left under pressure soon after, no impression
led driven along in straight over 4f out, joined bypassing ommited 2 out, headed approaching ommited last, lost 2nd soon after, no impression
in touch in 5th, effort to chase leaders approaching 3rd, outpaced in straight 4f out, no chance
held up in last pair, mistake 1st, pushed along next, driven and struggling straight, tailed off
chased leading trio, outpaced before 3rd, soon behind and struggling straight
tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 1st, not fluent next, ridden and outpaced after 3rd, struggling straight
tracked leader until before 1st, prominent, challenge bypassing ommited 2 out, led after bypassing ommited last, kept on well
WOODLARK ISLAND is the call with Screaming Brave and Manjam offered up as alternatives. David Pipe's yard have hit decent form of late and this gelding has looked progressive during the spring. Granted, his run at Wetherby was disappointing but that probably followed on the back of a string of quickfire runs and he seemed back to his best following a month away from the racecourse at Towcester. Screaming Brave has shown glimpses of ability though has hindered himself with careless leaps at the time when it matters most. Manjam was fourth in a recent Towcester affair and is sure to run up to his mark again. Tony McCoy rides Adare Manor on his first start for Jonjo O'Neill. He did not show a great deal for Boots Madden in Ireland but it would not be the first time that the new trainer has been able to garner improvement from elsewhere within the McManus training empire. Mad Moose was second at Perth in a race that was probably was above average for the time of year. Ajman won a seller at Ludlow and steps up in grade this evening. Woodlark Island can improve further and we select him for further honours.
Adare Manor (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Soon mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 12th of 19, 32l behind Bachelor Affair (10-11) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in Oct.
Screaming Brave 11-4 (10-13) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out where not fluent, soon headed, mistake and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 18l behind Monetary Fund (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Woodlark Island (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led, clear until 3rd, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, headed before next, kept battling away, regained lead with good jump last, just prevailed, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May beating Topflight Wildbird (11-7) by shd, 11 ran.
Mad Moose (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) In touch, led going well before 2 out, 6 lengths clear when not fluent last, soon ridden, headed flat, kept on near finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Dancing Mist (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr '09.
Blue Express (IRE) 100-1 (9-9) Held up, headway 4 out, weakened approaching next, 9th of 14, 29l behind Gold Award (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Bazart 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, blundered 3rd, not fluent 5th, lost place approaching 3 out, tried to close approaching 2 out, no impression, 7th of 11, 27l behind Woodlark Island (11-5) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Manjam (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, 4th and no extra when not fluent last, 4th of 13, 12l behind Jeu De Roseau (10-6) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Ajman (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Ludlow 2m cond sll hdl (5) gd in May beating Hammer (10-13) by 5l, 10 ran.
