tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 7th, challenged 2 out, not fluent and led last, headed flat, held towards finish
led, jumped left and headed 3 out, 3rd and beaten when jumped left next, no extra last
held up in last pair, not fluent 7th, headway after 4 out, bumped and led next, headed last, driven and led again flat, stayed on
held up in last pair, not fluent and pushed along 6th, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leader until pushed along before 3 out, no extra from 2 out, not fluent last
tracked leaders, lost place when hit 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 4 out, pushed along 3 out, 5th and beaten next, no extra
The handicapper is reluctant to lower Mcllhatton in the weights but Paul Nicholls' six-year-old beat a decent sort in a novice event at Fontwell on his latest start and has to go on the short-list again. He's got a lot more scope than the hat-trick seeking Maller Tree. IRISH BUCCANEER has every chance on today's terms and, with A P McCoy back in the saddle, is taken to recoup losses incurred when he fell at Kempton. Magic Money is becoming something of a course specialist and can't be ignored but Chepstow second Saint Breiz appears to have plenty of weight for his handicap debut and Descaro is probably out of his depth.
Mcllhatton (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Tracked leading pair, hampered and left 2nd at 2nd, switched right before last, upsides last, soon led, shaken up and stayed on well flat, won at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Shubaat (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Maller Tree 8-13fav (11-10) Made all, in command before last, ridden clear run-in, unchallenged, won at Wetherby 2m 6f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd in Apr beating Rosslyn Castle (11-6) by 5l, 4 ran.
Irish Buccaneer (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Held up in rear, clipped heels and fell on bend after 2nd, in a race won by Cocktails At Dawn (11-1) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Descaro (USA) 50-1 (10-12) With leader, led before 2nd, fell next, in a race won by Leviathan (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Magic Money 9-2 (11-0) Led, headed and blundered 2 out, one pace after, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Call The Cops (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Lava Lamp (GER) 20-1 (10-13) Chased winner until before 5th, soon lost place and behind, well tailed off, last of 6, well behind Fear Glic (11-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Apr.
Look For Love 9-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway and pecked 4 out, kept on same pace when mistake last, 3rd of 9, 10l behind The Rattler Obrien (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Saint Breiz (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged 6th, led next, headed 4 out, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Ned Stark (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.