held up in rear, not fluent 6th, short of room after 4 out, never dangerous
held up in mid-division, headway 8th, led 2 out, headed before last, soon beaten, no extra flat
held up in mid-division, slow 2nd, headway 8th, lost place after 4 out, well beaten 3 out
prominent, not fluent and lost place 4 out, well beaten 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 5th, well beaten before 3 out, kept on flat, no chance
in touch in mid-division, effort after 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, soon well held
held up towards rear, headway on inside after 4 out, no impression before last
prominent, led 8th, headed 2 out, no extra flat
prominent, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, headway 7th, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression on winner
led, mistake 3rd, headed 8th, lost place 3 out, well beaten next
towards rear on outside, pushed along when not fluent 8th, not fluent 4 out, headway approaching last, finished well to take 3rd towards finish
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, some headway on outside after 4 out, struggling 3 out
held up in rear, switched right after 4 out, headway going well 3 out, led before last, soon clear, stayed on strongly
in touch in mid-division until pulled up before 3rd
chased leaders, 2nd before 3 out, every chance next, stayed on same pace flat, lost 3rd towards finish
Whataknight won this last year but is 7lb higher and the classy Volnay De Thaix faces a tough task giving weight to less-exposed types. The Tourard Man has gone up 6lb for winning at Warwick and was behind Whataknight at Aintree. Kelvingrove is no certainty to confirm course and distance running with Young Dillon on 4lb worse terms while Sir Mangan will need to improve again on a comeback victory at Ffos Las to figure. But San Satiro has to go on the short-list from near the foot of the weights as he appears to have the beating of The Tourard Man on collateral form. Quicker going should allow PRIME VENTURE to handle this further step up in trip and he’s been running very well over 2m4f, including last time in a Grade 3 at Sandown - Evan Williams’ charge deserves to get his head back in front. Mia's Storm may struggle to cope with thus big step up in class.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, blundered 2nd, outpaced after 3 out, headway under pressure after next, ridden and stayed on into 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 8, 7 1/2l behind L'Ami Serge (11-0) at Sandown 2m 5f (1) gd in Apr.
The Tourard Man (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, switched right and went 2nd 2 out, led last, stayed on gamely and came clear run-in, ridden out, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Thumb Stone Blues (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Whataknight 12-1 (11-7) With winner, led briefly after 1st, chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, no impression after, 6th of 22, 22l behind Fountains Windfall (10-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Runswick Royal (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Behind, struggling 7th, ridden and stayed on into mid-division after 3 out, never pace to reach leaders, 10th of 22, 17 1/4l behind Rather Be (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Kelvingrove (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, ridden in 3rd before last, led towards finish, held on well, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Young Dillon (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Guitar Pete (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, under pressure 2 out, every chance last, carried slightly right after last, kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 5, nk behind Applesandpierres (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Arctic Gold (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Led, blundered 2 out, soon hard pressed, headed run-in, lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Jacks Last Hope (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Sir Mangan (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, not fluent 4 out, soon led, joined 2 out, hung left before last, stayed on, held on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Count Meribel (11-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Young Dillon (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Kelvingrove (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Prime Venture (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, towards rear after 3 out, headway before last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Minella Awards (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Oh Land Abloom (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, driven to lead before 2 out, ridden between last 2, kept on flat, hard pressed closing stages, headed final stride, 2nd of 10, hd behind Louis' Vac Pouch (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Big Easy (GER) 8-1 (11-12) Held up on inside, mistake 2nd and 5th, ridden and struggling 4 out, tried to close after 3 out, no impression and well beaten after 2 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Two Swallows (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Driftwood Haze 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, 2nd approaching 3 out, every chance next, kept on but never going pace to threaten winner, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Rocky's Treasure (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Mia's Storm (IRE) 11-1 (11-13) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, led last, kept on, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan beating The Tailgater (11-8) by 2l, 16 ran.
San Satiro (IRE) Evensfav (11-13) Disputed close 3rd until jumped slowly 6th, soon recovered, outright 3rd after 3 out, 2nd between last 2, upsides going well when hit last, nudged into lead towards finish, cleverly, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gf in Apr beating Breaking Bits (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Luccombe Down 8-1 (11-3) In touch in mid-division, not fluent 7th, ridden 3 out, 4th and one pace before last, no extra, 4th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Two Swallows (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
