disputed lead to 2nd, tracked winner, ridden and one pace in 3rd before 2 out, driven and stayed on to press winner again closing stages, just held
tracked leaders, driven and one pace in 4th when lost action and pulled up before 2 out
tended to jump right, made most, ridden after 2 out, hit last, kept on under pressure flat, just held on
tracked leaders on inside, lost place after 4 out, no impression from next
held up in last pair, chased leaders 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, went 4th when ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders
in touch on outside, chased winner after 3 out, ridden after next, every chance last, no extra in 3rd closing stages
held up in last pair, struggling 4 out, no danger after
DON LAMI was well beaten in a soft-ground handicap before winning a novice hurdle over course and distance but this is easier. Anthony Honeyball’s charge can go in again if the going remains good though the forecast is unsettled. Rothman won’t mind any rain and won over a shorter trip at Plumpton on his penultimate start while Scoobyis not badly treated on last year’s placed form. Good News was still in contention at Plumpton when swerving at the last and unseating and he could go close with a clear round.
Don Lami (FR) 2-5fav (11-1) With leader, led after 3 out, clear next, not fluent last, edged right flat, comfortably, won at Fontwell 3m 2f (4) gd in May beating Cintex (11-1) by 12l, 3 ran.
Rothman (FR) 4-1cfav (11-10) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, outpaced after next, mistake 6th, plugged on but never on terms with leaders after, 4th of 9, 7l behind Faint Hope (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Scooby (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Towards rear, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 15 1/2l behind Frankie Rapper (11-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Ballintara (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 8th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 6th of 17, 7 1/4l behind Coeur Pensif (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Eddy 16-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Max Forte (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in May.
Mister Serious (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, led after 3rd, headed 8th, lost place after 3 out, ridden and no chance with leaders before next, 4th of 7, 28 1/4l behind Stradivarius Davis (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in May.
Good News 7-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, led approaching 2 out, joined when jinked left saddle slipped round and unseated rider last, at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.