tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden after last, kept on well
held up in touch, raced wide from 6 out until 4 out, left 3rd from last, one pace
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and no impression
tracked leaders, raced wide from 6 out until chased winner from 4 out, disputing 3rd and looking one pace when jumped left and stumbled and unseated rider last
in rear, raced wide from 6 out until 4 out, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, pulled up
led, headed 4 out, weakened before next
Much will depend on how much rain falls on the track as to the outcome of all races but CLYNE has already proved his ability to handle both soft and heavy conditions and has a strong chance if all is well on his first run for 280 days. He rates a major improver on the evidence of his last two winning starts. Verni has a fitness advantage and should also handle conditions whatever they may be and looks the obvious danger on the back of a comfortable Newton Abbot success last time and is another going the right way. Ifandbutwhynot is potentially well handicapped on his best form but Baratineur makes more appeal as a shortlist candidate as he remains very much open to improvement for Nicky Henderson.
Clyne 4-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closed after 3rd, jumped left and not fluent next, mistake 3 out, led and wandered next, clear from last, easily, won at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Catchin Time (10-11) by 11l, 11 ran.
Baby King (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-12) In touch in 4th, went 3rd from 3 out, no extra run-in, 4th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Banyu (11-8) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Baratineur (FR) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace before last, 4th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Mountainside (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Verni (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked front pair from after 2nd, hit 3 out, soon went 2nd, led next, driven clear when not fluent last, kept on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Wolftrap (10-13) by 3l, 4 ran.
Sleepy Haven (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Behind, outpaced 4 out, blundered and went left next, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 35 1/4l behind Ballyoptic (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in 4th, closed before 3 out, pressed for 2nd from 2 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Jacks Last Hope (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Akula (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 7th, not fluent 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Apache Outlaw (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (5) sft in Mar.
