disputed lead, led after 5 out, pushed along and pressed before 2 out, headed and weakened before last
disputed lead, headed and remained prominent 5 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and gradually faded
chased leaders, pressed leader before 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, kept on one pace
mistakes in rear and reminders after 6th, pushed along 14th in last place, struggling after 3 out
held up in rear, ridden before 2 out, stayed on from last, not reach winner
chased leaders, jumped well, pressed front pair going well after 2 out, led before last, driven out flat, always doing enough
Big River disappointed last season but had wind surgery last month. Fellow veteran VINTAGE CLOUDS has gone well fresh in the past and is capable of smart form on his day, as he showed when winning the Ultima at Cheltenham in March. He gets a crucial 3lb from Dingo Dollar, who was raised another 6lb after finishing second in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in April. Second over an inadequate 2m1f here last month, Empire De Maulde will have a fitness advantage over some and is receiving lumps of weight while Fortescue ended last season on a high and can’t be ignored.
Dingo Dollar (IRE) 7-1fav (11-2) Led until 5th, led 6th, mistake and headed 8th, led 13th until after 14th, led 15th, headed 17th, led after 22nd, headed 4 out, led 3 out, 4 lengths clear 2 out, reduced lead last, headed flat, held after, kept on, 2nd of 22, 3/4l behind Mighty Thunder (11-1) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Chased leader, led 10th, headed and not fluent 13th, led 14th, headed 4 out, led 3 out, 1/2 length ahead last, stayed on strongly to draw clear flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar beating Happygolucky (11-1) by 5 1/2l, 16 ran.
Fortescue 3-1 (11-7) Mid-division, niggled along before 14th, pushed along 3 out, headway to lead next, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr beating The Wolf (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Chapel Stile (IRE) 22-1 (10-8) Soon dropped to mid-division, not always fluent, behind 20th, pulled up before 22nd, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Big River (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Behind and not really going, slow 17th, some headway 21st, no impression, 11th of 22, 14 3/4l behind Mighty Thunder (11-1) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Empire De Maulde (FR) 10-3 (11-9) Mistake 2nd, soon well behind, tailed off 5th, stayed on approaching omitted last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 4 1/4l behind El Borracho (10-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
