tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd or 3rd ridden and weakening when mistake 3 out
held up, headway after 6th, challenged 3 out, led last, headed close home
pressed leader, led 4th, ridden and headed last, stayed on to lead again close home
held up, ridden after 6th, headway on inside approaching 3 out, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden and switched right after 2 out, stayed on, held by leaders flat
led until 4th, ridden after 6th, challenged 3 out, kept on, held close home
took keen hold in touch, lost place 5th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4th, headway next, weakened well before 3 out
ARGAUM was one of three stable entries at the four-day stage and is fancied to make all in this company. Conor Ring reduces his burden by 8lb and the usual cheekpieces are back on today after he won in blinkers over C&D six weeks ago. Mahfal has had plenty of chances and doesn't find much off the bridle but Nether Stream won in this grade at Stratford last time, though reserves his best for that track. Chaser Junior Jack and Plumpton second Navajo Nation look best of the rest.
Argaum (IRE) 7-4fav (10-13) Led, not fluent 1st, headed 4th, blundered 6th, ridden after 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd in Apr beating Smalib Monterg (10-13) by 1l, 4 ran.
Nether Stream (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up behind in touch, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, challenged next, soon ridden, led last, stayed on flat, won at Stratford 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Swiss Art (10-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Junior Jack 4-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed before 8th, weakened before 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Ballyoliver (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Apr, 8 ran.
Magic Place 200-1 (11-0) In touch on outside, wandered 1st, ridden and weakened after 3 out, fell on bend before 2 out, in a race won by Avoca Promise (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Navajo Nation (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, went 2nd last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Lindsay's Dream (10-13) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Mahfal (FR) 11-4 (10-3) Led and soon clear with one other, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Ghaabesh (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gs.
Indefinite Hope (ITY) 22-1 (10-2) In rear, headway 5th, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, 4th of 8, 25l behind Ghaabesh (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gs.
Lucky Thumb 100-1 (10-3) Held up on outside, behind 7th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Same Difference (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr, 8 ran.