behind, slow 1st, closed before 5th, went 3rd from 11th, mistake 13th, went 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 12th, clear 2 out, not fluent last, easily
chased leaders, lost place after 9th, mistake 11th, behind when mistake next, pulled up before 13th
led until 12th, lost 2nd 3 out, no extra last
2nd until 7th, struggling 11th, blundered 13th, soon pulled up
A couple of these are clear of the rest on today’s terms and Solomon Grey should have benefitted for last month’s outing here on his debut for new connections when behind the runner-up Bletchley Castle. The latter was no match for the higher rated Pont Avon on that occasion but the six-year-old STRATEGEM has more scope and if returning to his best form on his second start after wind surgery, Paul Nicholls’ charge should come out best. The rest have a tough task at the weights though Lucky Lara was still going well when unseating at Catterick a fortnight ago.
Solomon Grey (FR) 4-1 (12-6) Off the pace in 6th, behind and struggling 10th, slightly hampered by faller at 14th, never on terms, 5th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Pont Aven (11-12) at Ludlow 3m (4) gs in Feb.
Stratagem (FR) 2-1 (11-6) Held up in last pair, some headway approaching 10th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out, at Hereford 2m 5f (5) gd in Jan.
Ardview Boy (IRE) 2-1 (12-3) (h) chsd ldr til led 3 out; sn hdd; one pce, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Argot (12-0) at Shelfield Park 2m 4f gd in Apr.
Bletchley Castle (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Led and soon clear, reduced lead 5th, headed 12th, chased winner, hit next, pushed along and well held before 4 out, blundered last, 2nd of 9, 16l behind Pont Aven (11-12) at Ludlow 3m (4) gs in Feb.
Last Encounter (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) (5a) (h) led to 15; wknd 3 out, 5th of 8, 31l behind Latenightpass (11-5) at Charm Park 3m sft in Mar.
Paudie (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened run-in, 6th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Doctor Parnassus (10-7) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Lucky Lara (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Raced keenly, chased leaders, went 2nd 8th until before 12th, clipped the top of 13th, slithered and unseated rider 13th, at Catterick 3m 1f mdn (6) gs in Mar.
