took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, 6th and well beaten when hit 2 out
chased leader until went lame and pulled up soon after 3 out
held up, steady headway to track leading pair 3 out, chased leader and not fluent 2 out, led last, in command when idled towards finish
took keen hold early, never reached beyond midfield, ridden 5th, soon struggling, tailed off
took keen hold, in touch, hit 4th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, ridden and hit 2 out, headed last, weakened flat, lost 2nd towards finish
in touch, left 2nd 3 out until 2 out, rallied under pressure run in, closed as winner idled towards finish
chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened next, tailed off
not fluent, held up in rear, went poor 4th under pressure well before 2 out, no impression
STRADBROOK gets the nomination to land this contest, while Osolomio can also get heavily involved. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained selection absolutely loves deep ground like today's and seems to be at his best at around two miles. He didn't convince that he got further when beaten on his last start at Chepstow in February and he will be better for the drop back in trip here. He had looked impressive when winning earlier at Folkestone and in these conditions he looks the one to beat. Osolomio was a wide margin Sedgefield winner when last seen and he has won his share of races. Although he has won on good to soft he is at his best on faster ground and the going here might just blunt his speed. Smoothly Does It looks a bit high in the weights, but he does like to get his toe in and the yard has hit form, so he has frame claims. Latalanta won a Fontwell novices' hurdle in the spring and also loves juice in the ground. He gets in here with a feather weight and a good run is anticipated. Blinkers are applied to Lemon Silk for the first time and we may see a change in fortunes for David Pipe's runner, but we prefer the chances of Stradbrook.
Osolomio (IRE) 4-5fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led next, ridden clear last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Mar beating Professor Higgins (11-1) by 11l, 9 ran.
Smoothly Does It 8-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, hampered 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 11, 18l behind European Dream (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Guardian of Truth (IRE) 18-1 (11-8) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 7th of 14, 14l behind Take The Breeze (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Stradbrook (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Held up, headway 7th, every chance 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 13, 6l behind Pocket Too (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden 4 out, never troubled leaders, 12th of 15, 33l behind Warsaw Pact (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Carson's Spirit (USA) 25-1 (11-0) Keen, headway 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 8th of 15, 26l behind Secret Tune (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Glinton 16-1 (11-0) With leader, hit 4 out and next, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 30l behind Take The Breeze (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Jardin De Vienne (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 13, 19l behind Oldrik (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Oct.
Pacific Ocean (ARG) 33-1 (10-5) Toward rear, headway 5th, one pace, 6th of 18, 26l behind Show Winner (10-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Latalanta (FR) 10-3 (11-1) Held up, headway after 6th, led 2 out, ridden and hung right after last, stayed on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar beating Fortification (10-8) by 8l, 7 ran.