tracked leaders, ridden and tracked winner approaching last, driven to challenge flat, no extra close home
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
close up, effort after 6th, soon lost place
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden approaching last, driven out flat
prominent, led approaching 7th, headed next, ridden and weakened quickly from 3 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, effort after 5th, beaten and pulled up before 3 out
held up, hit 4th, smooth headway to track winner 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from last
led until ridden and headed approaching 7th, weakened quickly, pulled up before next
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace flat
held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden from next, one pace from last
The top weight Heez A Steel has rather harshly been raised 6lbs despite being narrowly beaten at Perth last month and he may struggle to give weight away all round in a race where BENMADIGAN is taken to defy the 7lbs rise for his win at Southwell and he gets the vote ahead of San Deng. Micky Hammond's gelding had to work hard to win a maiden hurdle at Wetherby recently and has to be considered back in a handicap off what remains a fair mark despite the penalty that he has to carry. Jedd O'Keefe's Kentucky Boy has yet to open his account over hurdles and has been beaten a long way in his last two starts over them. Lucinda Russell's Breakwater House ran better last time on his first attempt at this sort of distance and he has claims despite having been raised 3lbs since that outing at Newcastle in March. Solway Bay has been well held in recent starts and preference is for Benmadigan, who has improved with each start of late and was good value for his win at Southwell last month. Nicky Richards has his team in better form now and Benmadigan is taken to give him another winner.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, hit last, ridden and kept on flat, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Dancing Mist (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
San Deng 7-1 (11-0) With leader, challenged 2 out, ridden aproaching last, led flat, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr beating Jimbatai (11-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Kentucky Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway approaching 4 out to chase leaders, ridden next, soon one pace, 3rd of 18, 24l behind Description (10-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Breakwater House (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division and keen, headway approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Solway Sunset (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
Waldo Winchester (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Always behind, 7th of 11, well behind Description (11-4) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Vallani (IRE) 150-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 3 out and no impression, 5th of 8, 12l behind Grand Theatre (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Benmadigan (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on flat, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr beating Classic Quart (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
All Out For Seven (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off 2 out, 10th of 16, well behind Oh Yah Dancer (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Beau Largesse 8-1 (10-1) Mid-division until lost place 4 out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 26l behind Annibale Caro (10-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Solway Bay 8-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, 4th and one pace when mistake last, 4th of 13, 25l behind Mr Woods (11-5) at Perth 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Dauntsey Bay 40-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, 34l behind Industrial Star (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
