soon led, headed 1st, remained prominent, led again before 3 out, headed last, no extra closing stages
mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, led last, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, kept on well under pressure
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4th, effort 3 out, held when hampered next, soon weakened
prominent, led 1st, headed after 3 out, soon one pace, weakened before last
tracked leader, blundered and well recovered 1st, chased leaders after, slow 6th, weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
in touch, slow 8th, rider lost irons when blundered 5 out, driven forward until weakened an pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, hampered 2 out, soon weakened
always behind, weakened 4 out
Nothing makes strong appeal in a weak race. The majority are out of form at present but IONA DAYS maintains his enthusiasm well at the age of 13 and this is a more modest contest than the one he contested at Kempton when a respectable fifth. He has dropped 4lb in the ratings following that run and this generally consistent performer, also the sole course and distance winner in the field, is a hopeful choice. That's The Deal is a year older than the selection but he too still has some fire in his belly and is not ruled out although Larkhall could prove a stronger threat off his lowly perch, just 1lb out of the weights. Midnight Gem is inconsistent but would be a leading player on a going day.
Midnight Gem 11-2 (11-9) Led until 7th, led 11th, headed 13th, outpaced 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 33 3/4l behind Kings Temptation (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
As You Like (IRE) 7-2fav (11-1) Held up, not fluent 9th, weakened 13th, 7th of 9, dist behind Bestwork (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Follow The Swallow (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up behind, headway 4 out, in 4th from 2 out, jumped badly right last, soon weakened, 5th of 10, dist behind Fifty Shades (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Iona Days (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, plugging on but no chance when left 5th last, 5th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Not A Role Model (12-0) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
That's The Deal (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Jumped left at times soon chasing leader, led before 7th, headed before 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 16 1/2l behind Canyouringmeback (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Tequila Secret (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Chased leaders to 3rd, soon towards rear and never travelled well after, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in May.
Scorpo (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) In touch, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 11, 29 1/2l behind Bafana Blue (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May.
Larkhall 11-2 (10-4) Held up in 5th, headway 9th, ridden and stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 7 1/4l behind Grow Nasa Grow (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in May.
The Society Man (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, last after 4 out, weakened before next, last of 6, dist behind Grow Nasa Grow (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in May.
