held up in touch on outside, not fluent, challenged approaching 2 out, blundered last, no extra final 200 yards
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on well
held up in last, headway 2 out, switched right when not fluent last, stayed on, went 3rd final 100 yards
led, ridden and headed when bumped last, stayed on, no impression on winner final 125 yards
with leader until 2 out, soon beaten, one pace
took keen hold, tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish
Nonrunner
KAI BROON struggled early on over timber but has got his act together lately, finishing a good fourth at Kelso in March before getting off the mark back in handicap company at Newcastle last time. He races off a much higher mark here but may be progressing quickly enough to follow up. Fortuni was beaten at odds-on at Kelso last month and is beginning to run out of chances, while Baraathen ran poorly at Wetherby last time. Master Performer did better at Kelso last time, however, and may still have a bit of scope.
Fortuni (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, jumped left 4th, ridden after last, kept on and lost 2nd place last 75 yards, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Nelson's Chief (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Kai Broon (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Close up on inner, ridden before 2 out, kept on to last 100 yards, held on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr beating Willie Hall (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Master Performer (USA) 33-1 (10-7) Behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, kept on under pressure, never able to challenge, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Bogside (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Baraathen (USA) 8-1 (11-2) Took keen hold towards rear, ridden and struggling after 4 out, no chance when blundered 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, 30l behind Hi Ho Silvia (10-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hld 0-95 (5) gf in Apr.
Thescottishsoldier 25-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, slow 6th, soon driven, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Rolecarr (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Apr.
Daniel's Dream 16-1 (10-5) Led, not fluent 3rd, soon headed, hit 5th, weakened from next, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Circus Clown (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb.
Endeavor 28-1 (11-0) Raced keenly chasing leaders, under pressure 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 35l behind Flinty Bay (11-6) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
