prominent, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, took 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
led from 3rd, headed and about a half length down last, when soon left clear, hampered on run-in by loose horse, driven out
led to 1st, tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
in rear, blundered 2nd, struggling from 8th, tailed off
held up towards rear, reminders after 7th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, left about 5 lenghts down in 2nd at last, kept on, lost 2nd near finish
led from 1st to 3rd, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, soon towards rear, not fluent 8th, weakened 11th, tailed off
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led and about half a length up at last when blundered and unseated rider
towards rear, mistake 9th, outpaced 11th, about 20 lengths in 6th going to 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, took 4th towards finish
DIABLO impressed when spreadeagling a small field at Perth and can follow-up here at the main expense of Samurai Way and Circus Of Dreams. The selection was a wide margin scorer over three miles at the Scottish track, and although that was a sound surface, he has shown good form on soft in the past. Given the cut in the ground today, his stamina looks likely to be very useful despite the drop in trip, and he is selected. Samurai Way is more of a specialist at this distance, and he also acts with juice in the ground. However, he has 12lbs to find with the selection at these weights and that might just prove beyond him. Circus Of Dreams loves bottomless conditions and was well beaten when sent off favourite at Newbury last time. There was no obvious excuse for that, and he has also been beaten by Samurai Way recently, so he looks likely to be more heavily involved in the battle for a place in the frame. Songe has some pretty warm form over hurdles on his career record, and he acts with cut, but he has a bit to prove now, especially over this trip. Check the market for clues where Sea Cliff is concerned, though recent efforts are far from encouraging, and preference is for Diablo.
Samurai Way 6-4fav (12-0) In touch, tracked clear leader 5th, mistakes 9th and 11th, closed on leader before 2 out, switched inside between last 2, led after last, ridden out, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Ouste (11-9) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Circus of Dreams 2-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden and disputing 2nd before 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Its Crucial (10-10) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Diablo (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, clear last, eased close home, won at Perth 3m nov chs (2) gd in Apr beating Barcardero (11-3) by 17l, 4 ran.
Delgany Gunner 20-1 (10-12) Last 3rd, behind from 5th, took poor 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 48l behind Wessex King (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
Important Business (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division, reminder after 6th, not fluent 7th, headway 3 out, saddle slipped before last, lost weight cloth flat, stayed on, just failed for 2nd, finished 3rd, disqualified and placed last, in a race won by Lady Pilot (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec '08, 18 ran.
Master Darcy 33-1 (10-12) Chased leading pair until before 4 out, soon struggling in rear, last of 5, well behind Bakbenscher (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Sea Cliff (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not always fluent, no chance from 14th, jumped right final 4 fences, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Fairoak Lad (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in Aug.
Songe (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden and struggling 4 out, 12th of 22, 28l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Squadron 6-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, pushed along 4 out, no impression from next, 7th of 10, 31l behind Quentin Collonges (10-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
