prominent, led 2nd, clear 4th, reduced advantage before 3 out, drew clear travelling strongly before last, easily
led, headed 2nd, led chasing group behind clear leader 4th, ridden and outpaced before 3 out where not fluent, stayed on from 2 out, took modest 2nd flat
midfield, awkward 5th, ridden and headway before 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, weakened before last, lost 2nd flat
prominent, settled behind leaders 2nd, lost place 9th, ridden after 10th, weakened quickly before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, not fluent 10th, steady headway 11th, ridden before 3 out, one pace from 2 out
towards rear, midfield 6th, took closer order 4 out, ridden after 3 out, faded from 2 out
towards rear, hit 4th, lost touch 5th, awkward 7th and pushed along briefly, well adrift when ridden 9th, not fluent 10th, tailed off before 3 out
NonRunner
It's all a question of when the handicapper catches up with DILIGENT. Nigel Hawke's gelding has run his rivals ragged the last twice, winning by a combined total of 60 lengths. He has understandably been severely punished by the assessor but this does not rate the strongest of contests and he and his conditional pilot can complete the three-timer. Episode landed a first career win over course and distance last month and looks the most obvious threat, having been raised an acceptable 4lb for that success. He may well progress further after just five starts over fences. Etat Major Aulmes disappointed the last day but has definite place claims at his best.
Diligent (FR) 4-6fav (11-11) Jumped well throughout, made all, drew well clear 4th, 20 lengths ahead 8th, reduced advantage but still clear 3 out, canter, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Istimraar (11-3) by 20l, 11 ran.
Etat Major Aulmes (FR) 11-1 (10-10) Always in rear, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, never on terms, tailed off when went badly right 3 out, pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Episode (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, lost position and in rear after the 6th, tracked leader after the 9th, chased leader in 2nd 4 out, pressed leader approaching 2 out and soon led, drew clear run to the last, kept on after the last, easy, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) gf in Mar beating Orchestrated (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Vital Sign (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Led, pressed after 4 out, ridden when headed after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 7, 22l behind Friends Don't Ask (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) gf in Mar.
Ardbruce (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Pulled hard in rear, headway chasing leaders 5th, went 2nd 7th until 10th, chased leaders, badly hampered and rider lost irons 4 out, not recover mistake next, 6th of 7, dist behind Counteract (10-4) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Glorious Boru (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Towards rear, some headway before 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Five Star Getaway (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Steel The China (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Off the pace in 5th, mistake 10th, weakened before 13th, tailed off when eased before 4 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Aheadfullofdreams (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
El Tornado (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, error 6th, pushed along after the 7th, tailed off after the 8th and home in his own time, last of 4, dist behind Fidelio Vallis (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gf in Mar.
