with leader, led 4th, ridden 2 out weakening when headed last
led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened soon after, lost touch
tracked leaders, led approaching 3rd, headed 4th, weakened 3 out
held up, some headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up, headway after 3 out, hit 2 out, led last driven out
held up, ridden after 5th, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and close up approaching last, one pace flat
held up, headway 3rd, weakened 2 out
held up, headway after 2 out, plugged on moderately
Osako D'airy keeps on defying the handicapper but a 7lb rise for his latest success may just prevent him from making it four on the bounce and preference is for the reappearing Gala Evening, who gets the vote ahead of Rebel Raider. The last mentioned has disappointed in his three starts this term but has been dropped to a mark just 6lbs higher than when successful at Towcester in April and he could be of interest. Noel Chance's First Feerie is less exposed than most of these but is hard to recommend after his latest start, while French import Sebastiano gave little sign for encouragement on his British debut and may be best watched at present. Brendan Powell has his string in good form at the moment so Arisea has to be respected, although the vote goes to Gala Evening. Jim Old's gelding is proven with plenty of cut in the ground and, if fit enough for his return, looks well enough treated to make a winning return.
Osako D'airy (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, effort to lead before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy beating Coda Agency (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sharbasia (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, weakened before next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Refinement (11-6) at Kempton 2m 5f lst hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Rebel Raider (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, no chance when blundered next, 10th of 13, 28l behind Ring The Boss (10-0) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
Gala Evening 7-2 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, lost place and dropped to rear after 4 out, ridden next, rallied to challenge on stand rail 2 out, led soon after last, driven out and stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar beating Purp.
Sebastiano (FR) 16-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place after 4th, pushed along approaching 3 out, never near leaders after, 6th of 9, 18l behind Prime Contender (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up, mistake 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 10, 30l behind Golden Oak (10-8) at Towcester 2m 3f chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
First Feerie (FR) 13-2 (11-3) In touch, hit 5th, soon ridden, weakened soon after 4 out, 9th of 12, well behind Diarius (10-9) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Arisea (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) In touch until weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 15, 22l behind Altilhar (11-10) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Rawaabet (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, blundered 2 out, no further progress, 6th of 17, 21l behind Zirkel (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
