led until after 1st, prominent until steadied approaching 3rd, closed under pressure after 8th, went 2nd and mistake 3 out, no chance with winner
held up, not fluent 7th, soon ridden, no chance after 8th, hit 3 out, jumped left last
in rear, not fluent 5th, lost touch 7th, tailed off when fell next
held up, not fluent 1st or 2nd, tailed off 8th
led after 1st, made rest, jumped left 3rd, clear approaching 3 out, unchallenged
chased winner 2nd until approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
It will be interesting to see how French import Maelstrom performs on his debut for the in-form Peter Bowen stable after a lengthy absence but a safer bet looks to be Poseidon's Secret, who gets the vote over The Good Guy. The last mentioned has shown signs of ability, including over this trip, but Kim Bailey's gelding is hard to back with confidence on the balance of his form so he looks best watched. Kevin Prendergast's Fair Caterina has shown only signs of ability so far, while Henrietta Knight's Storm Surge has been well held in both starts over hurdles since moving from bumpers. Kuznetsky Most has nothing to recommend him on all known form and it is Poseidon's Secret that gets the verdict. Charlie Mann's gelding has taken well to hurdles and can defy the penalty incurred for his Plumpton success in March.
Poseidon's Secret (IRE) Evensfav (11-1) Led, not fluent 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 12, 17l behind Manadam (10-10) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hdl gd in Apr.
Kuznetsky Most (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened after 8th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Brenin Cwmtudu (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Maelstrom (9-0) Held up, headway and every chance, held close home, 2nd of 6, shd behind Antigel (9-0) at Chantilly 1m 7f 3yo stk gd in Jul '06 (Flat).
Storm Surge (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Not fluent 1st, hit 5th, always behind, 8th of 10, well behind Psychiatrist (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
The Good Guy (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mistake 1st, always behind, struggling 3 out, 7th of 9, 36l behind Planet of Sound (11-6) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Apr.
Fair Caterina 40-1 (10-4) Prominent, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 14l behind No Panic (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh mdn hdl (4) gf.