took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd led 4 out, 3 lengths ahead when went badly left and left clear 2 out, 10 lengths ahead when went badly left again last, hung left and idled badly run-in, just held on
tracked leading pair, 2nd after 4 out, every chance when not fluent 3 out, ridden and 3 lengths down when blundered badly 2 out, no chance after, lost 2nd between last 2
in touch, headway chasing leaders 5th, 6th and well held when mistake and pecked 4 out, 5th and no chance when blundered next
in touch until mistake and dropped to last 3rd, never on terms after, struggling after 9th, tailed off and soon pulled up
led until 4th, chased leader, led 11th until 4 out, dropped to 3rd soon after, went 2nd between last 2, 10 lengths down last, rallied strongly as winner hung badly left and idled run-in, just failed
jumped left, tracked leader, led 4th until 11th, chased winner until next, weakened soon after 4 out
held up in last pair, driven along in modest 4th on long run before 3 out
NonRunner
CLONDAW BANKER found only one too good in a similar contest over track and trip last month. Nicky Henderson’s charge gets the nod on that form given Midnight Cowboy was still beaten a long way when third here on his latest start and chasing debut. Mahlers Star was narrowly beaten at Bangor on his first start over fences but Fingers Crossed never threatened the winner when second at Towcester last time. The more exposed De Blacksmith has been placed in handicap chases but hasn’t raced for over a year.
Midnight Cowboy 4-1 (11-0) Tracked rival pair throughout, outpaced before 3 out, well beaten after, last of 3, 13 3/4l behind Bagad Bihoue (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f (3) gd in May.
Clondaw Banker (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, hit 10th and lost place, rallied on inside and slightly hampered 3 out, 3rd between last 2, stayed on into 2nd final strides, no real impression, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Breath Of Blighty (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Bingo D'Olivate (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, jumped right 5th, mistake 8th, soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Cobra De Mai (11-9) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
De Blacksmith (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) In touch, blundered and unseated rider 9th, at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Mahlers Star (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, with winner 8th, ridden before last, kept on and just held post, 2nd of 4, shd behind Clondaw Draft (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Tower Of Allen (IRE) 7-1 (11-13) Raced keenly, prominent, led 3rd until 7th, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 16, 24 3/4l behind Master Burbidge (11-13) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Fingers Crossed (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Jumped left and not that fluent, led, mistake 5th, headed next, chased winner, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Today Please (11-8) at Towcester 2m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Doitforjoe (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Held up, headway chasing leaders 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 33l behind The Tourard Man (11-12) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
