held up towards rear and keen, weakened before 5 out, tailed off, pulled up before 4 out
in rear, soon detached, tailed off
tracked leader, ridden and weakened after 5 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 6
held up in touch, went 2nd before 4 out, led before 4 out, clear after 3 out
in touch, ridden after 7 out, weakened after 5 out
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, went 4th before 4 out, went 3rd from 3 out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway 6 out, went 4th from 2 out, kept on same pace
led, headed before 4 out, kept on from 3 out, no impression on winner
behind, fell 10th
TUGBOAT's victory over course and distance earlier this month holds the key to this. He beat third Cooladerry King by more than five lengths with Ballytober fifth. Neverownup was prominent when falling but just starting to struggle and Glyn Slade-Jones' eight-year-old should follow up. The remainder would all have to step up on recent form to get involved.
Grove Pride 6-1 (12-7) Led to 1; lost plce 5; pu & dism 7, at Hereford P-t-p Course 3m gs in Apr.
Tugboat (IRE) 6-1 (12-4) Behind and outpaced early, headway before 5 out to take 4th place, led last, kept on gamely, won at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) gd in Apr beating Hazy Tom (11-10) by 1l, 9 ran.
Neverownup (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) With leader, fell 7th, at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) gd in Apr.
Blinding Lights (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Raced wide, chased leaders, weakened after 9th, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Exeter 2m 3f (6) sft in Mar.
Ballytober 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, well held in 5th when blundered 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 24 1/2l behind Tugboat (12-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) gd in Apr.
Comehomequietly (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Prsd ldrs to 14, 4th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Stone (12-4) at Hereford P-t-p Course 3m gs in Apr.
Cooladerry King (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 8th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, hung right and no extra run-in, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Tugboat (12-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) gd in Apr.
Gentle Duke 7-2 (12-0) Hdwy 11; wknd 3 out, 8th of 12, 25 3/4l behind Tims Crusader (12-0) at Brampton Bryan 3m gs in Apr.
Spock (FR) 5-1 (12-0) (cp) led 2 til rn out 9, at Hereford P-t-p Course 3m gs in Apr.
Torran Sound 3-1 (11-7) Wl bhnd 13; t.o & pu flat, at Ystradowen 3m sft in Mar.
