mid-division, behind from 4th
mid-division, headway after 6th, not fluent and weakened 2 out
led, not fluent 3 out, soon driven, headed and weakened next
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
held up rear and keen, headway 6th, led 2 out, challenged last, kept on well, driven out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened
in rear and keen, not fluent 1st and soon detached, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
in rear, reminders 1st, ridden 5th, stayed on moderately from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, plugged on one pace
held up towards rear, headway 6th, mistake next, switched left and every chance approaching last, not quicken flat
mid-division, headway 6th to chase leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leader, weakened 5th
Lyon has sound claims, and with little to beat should prove up to the task against Soviet Sceptre, Can Can Flyer and City Of Manchester. Having won a seller at Towcester in May, Lyon was sent off favourite to double up over the same course-and-distance 11 days ago, but even this son of Pivotal got bogged down in the heavy ground and had nothing left up the hill. This easier track and faster going will be much more suitable, and in this poor company, he should be backed to get the losses back. Soviet Sceptre was a middle-distance winner on the Flat at Chepstow last year, and any support for him on his debut over timber should be taken seriously. Can Can Flyer was allowed to make all at the Welsh track in an equally poor race to this on his last start over two months ago, and freshened up after a break can make his presence felt along with City Of Manchester who, although pulled up when tailed off at Uttoxeter, is back in his grade now. All have claims of a sort, but Lyon is the pick.
Ashgan (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Held up, never near leaders, 8th of 16, 30l behind Don't Ask Me (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in May.
Benefit Fund (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led to approaching 3rd, led again 3 out, soon ridden, headed, weakening when blundered 2 out, 8th of 14, 30l behind Lyon (11-0) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) gs in May.
Can Can Flyer (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Made all, shaken up approaching last, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Mar beating Montesino (10-9) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Greencard Golf 11-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Don't Ask Me (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in May, 16 ran.
Lyon 13-8fav (11-5) Held up, headway 4th, led 3 out, ridden and edged left after 2 out, headed last, hung left and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Island of Memories (10-0) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy in May.
Urban Dream (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led approaching 6th, weakening when hit 8th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Smilingvalentine (9-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f cnd sll hdl (5) gd in May, 7 ran.
City of Manchester (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Donie Dooley (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May, 15 ran.
Dramatic Quest 12-1 (11-3) Always behind, 6th of 7, 37l behind Elegant Clutter (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May.
