held up mid-division, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, one pace
always in rear
held up, headway 3 out, every chance on bit last, mistake and not recover
led and keen, headed approaching 2 out, weakened and mistake
mid-division, some headway 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, headway 4th, hit next, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after next
in touch, headway 5th, ridden to lead after 2 out, challenged last, ran on
held up, headway 5th, ridden to lead briefly 2 out, weakened last
never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 5th
Nonrunner
Ellerslie Tom seems to have finally got his jumping together and can now pay to follow, with Traprain, Estate and Capitana seen as the main dangers. Peter Bowen has always maintained that Ellerslie Tom has what it take to make up into a useful hurdler, but that faith has been dented by the gelding's inability to clear the obstacles in fluent fashion. However, the penny seems to have dropped at last, and a confidence-boosting victory at Kelso, where he made every yard of the running, will have done his chances here no harm at all. Traprain was mightily impressive on his latest outing at Newton Abbot but he did not beat much. However, he can give the selection plenty to think about, as can Estate who lost nothing in defeat when chasing home Double Vodka at Aintree 16 days ago. Capitana has to give weight away all round but did us a favour on his last visit here two months ago, and he will line up fresher than most. Rooster's Reunion looks a bit high in the weights at present but is the sort that will be running on to try and grab a place at least, but we look to Ellerslie Tom to do the business again.
Capitana (GER) 13-8fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, smooth headway 3 out, led approaching last, soon clear, readily, won at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Sabreur (10-11) by 8l, 13 ran.
Rooster's Reunion (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 4th, led 3 out to 2 out, not quicken from last, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Uncle Wallace (11-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Traprain (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, led on bit 2 out, in command when left clear last, won at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr beating Brave Hiawatha (10-6) by 9l, 8 ran.
Ellerslie Tom Evensfav (10-0) Led, clear 3 out, ridden and held on well towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May beating Regal Setting (10-6) by 2l, 5 ran.
Estate 11-1 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Double Vodka (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Cream Cracker 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on, 4th of 11, 5l behind Wee Dinns (11-8) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Mac Federal (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd 3 out, still challenging when not much room last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Shaman (10-12) at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) gf in May.
Silvo (NZ) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in main group, headway to chase leading pair 6th, soon led, driven out, won at Fakenham 2m sll hdl (5) gf in May beating Mezereon (11-2) by 1l, 13 ran.
