chased winner until before 5th, weakened from 11th, tailed off
held up towards rear, pecked 6th, in rear from next, went 3rd before 4 out until last, one pace
held up in rear, went 3rd at 9th until before and mistake 4 out, regained 3rd from last, one pace
made all, soon clear, blundered 4 out, kept on, driven out
held up mid-division, weakened before 5 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 5th, pushed along before 4 out, kept on and no impression
PRINCELY PLAYER was probably still just in front of previous winner Robbie when falling at the last at Musselburgh. Providing that tumble hasn't affected his confidence, Philip Hobbs' novice can gain compensation here at the chief expense of Duaiseoir. The latter won over hurdles over this trip last season and hails from a yard in terrific form. The mare Cloudy Spirit is often campaigned at a lofty level over hurdles and on the Flat but wins her fair share and would be a danger if taking to fences.
Bill The Lad (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, weakened before 4 out, 10th of 16, well behind Prince Siegfried (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Duaiseoir (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind Orsippus (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-155 (2) gd in Apr.
Freckle Face 66-1 (11-0) Led until 6th, 5th and beaten when not fluent 3 out, mistake and weakened last, 9th of 15, 25l behind Free Thinking (10-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Princely Player (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Took keen hold, hit 4th, tracked leaders, went 2nd at 10th, led after 5 out, challenged when mistake 2 out, fell last, in a race won by Robbie (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f (3) gd, 3 ran.
Simply Charles (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Always in rear, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Whisper (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr '12.
Cloudy Spirit 7-2fav (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent and no impression 3 out, jumped right and well beaten 2 out, 10th of 14, 34l behind Sheriff Hutton (11-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gf in Aug.