in touch in mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in rear, well behind after 4th, tailed off
took keen hold in rear, not fluent 1st, well behind after 4th, pulled up before 3 out
led until after 3rd, soon led again, not fluent and headed 5th, soon regained lead, headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
took keen hold, prominent, led 5th, soon headed, led 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra flat, lost 2nd close home
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well to draw clear flat
mid-division, pulled hard, headway to lead after 3rd, soon headed, ran wide and lost place, pulled up before 5th
held up in rear, well behind after 4th, tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, close enough 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 4th, headway next, went 3rd after 3 out, faltered on landing next, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden before next, stayed on flat
took keen hold in touch, lost place 3rd, ridden, switched left and headway approaching 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
in rear, mistake 1st, behind 5th, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
prominent, took keen hold, mistake 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next
GIBB RIVER was hard to win with on the flat for Peter Chapple-Hyam but the Melrose Stakes fifth could be capable of turning the corner for Nicky Henderson on hurdles debut. Robin De Creuse has to be respected given the present form of the Phillip Hobbs yard and the market is accordingly monitored. Cluain Alainn has had a sizeable absence from the track though he had previously shown a degree of ability in Ireland. Eastern Supreme was thought good enough to take her chance in the big mares bumper at Aintree. Featherbed Lane is from an unfashionable yard and has run best when fresh in the past. Agapanthus was the best of the Barney Curley pair on the flat so the market will give us most clues as to what to expect. Soleil d'Avril is sure to have learnt plenty for two spins for Alan King.
Agapanthus (GER) 40-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, under pressure before 4 out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, well behind No Rules (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Cluain Alainn (IRE) 22-1 (8-10) In rear, behind final 4f, 12th of 13, 22l behind Jo'burg (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun (flat).
Driving Seat 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear and keen, weakened 3 out, last of 9, 44l behind Sir Frank (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Eastern Supreme (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 20, 33l behind Megastar (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Featherbed Lane (IRE) 3-1fav (11-1) Held up in touch on inside, chased winner over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Our Mick (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Gibb River (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Held up, ridden over 3f out, driven and stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 13, 4l behind Akmal (9-3) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug '09 (flat).
Jigsaw Financial (IRE) 125-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Arthurian Legend (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Mandalay Prince 50-1 (11-1) Not fluent 2nd, always in rear, 10th of 13, 40l behind Haarth Sovereign (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Me Fein 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, hit 1st, pushed along from 5th, soon tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Clu Agus Cail (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Mick's Dancer 3-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 10l behind Alcalde (8-9) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Oct '09 (flat).
Robin De Creuse (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, closed 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Kid Cassidy (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) sft in Mar.
Soleil D'avril (FR) 6-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Muldoon's Picnic (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gf in Apr.
Strongbows Legend 33-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden after 6th, tailed off next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Bringewood Belle (10-4) at Bangor 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Uncle Ant (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Led, headed 7th, remained prominent, lost place after 3 out, 6th of 11, well behind Sophies Trophy (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Betty Browneyes 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards, weakened 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Martha Elizabeth (10-12) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Mayolynn (USA) 14-1 (10-10) Towards rear, ridden after 5th, well behind when mistake 3 out, 8th of 9, 32l behind Brixen (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
