tracked leaders, lost place and dropped rear after 4th, outpaced 2 out, ridden and rallied between last 2, weakened last
held up behind, headway 3 out, led before last, stayed on to go readily clear flat
held up in touch, effort to chase leaders between last 2, ridden and stayed on same pace flat, no impression
not fluent and reminder 1st, with leader until lost action and pulled up after 4th
held up in touch, left 2nd after 4th, challenged after 3 out, every chance between last 2, ridden and stayed on same pace flat, no impression
made most to before last, ridden and one pace flat
THE DUKE'S SPEECH is selected ahead of Wee Forbees and Woody Valentine. This represents a massive drop in grade for Ferdy Murphy's charge and while he has not been sighted on the track for a while, he looks to have too much class for this grade. Wee Forbees was a bit disappointing last time out. He is at his most effective when his hooves will rattle. Woody Valentine drops in trip. He is frustrating to follow though if consenting to put his best foot forward, he has to be considered a player. Along The Nile has won plating events at Catterick and Southwell during the spring. He was recently beaten in a seller on the flat. Prioryjo won well at Sedgefield in similar company. The figures suggest he has a bit to find here but he has a smart 7lb conditional booked. The remainder would be better off were this a handicap. The Duke's Speech has taken on much better company than this and if retaining any of that ability, he will take plenty of beating.
Woody Valentine (USA) 4-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, last of 4, 33l behind King Fontaine (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gd in Apr.
Along The Nile 4-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway and in touch 6th, went 2nd next, led before 2 out, 10 lengths clear last, eased towards finish, won at Southwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Tabaran (10-12) by 5l, 11 ran.
Prioryjo 8-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, led 2 out, kept on from last, pushed out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f am nov sll hdl (5) gf in Apr beating Samizdat (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Qaasi (USA) 40-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 14, 20l behind Along The Nile (11-1) at Catterick 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Mar.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Held up, always behind, 6th of 8, 27l behind Tramantano (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Wee Forbees (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Led, hit 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 14, well behind Shore Thing (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f clm hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Linda's Theatre 125-1 (10-9) Always behind, lost touch 6th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Mayor Of Kilcock (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May '09.
Marlborough Sound 12-1 (11-0) Held up behind in touch, reminder 8th, outpaced before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next, in a race won by Pemberton (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) hvy in Mar, 5 ran.
