made all, keen throughout on first circuit, not fluent and jumped left on several occasions, reduced lead before 2 out, responded well and soon asserted before last, ran on well, eased slightly final strides, comfortable
prominent, pushed along to close on leader before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, outpaced by winner and untidy 2 out, hard-pressed for second on landing after final flight, responded to riding and kept on well inside final 110 yards, no chance with winner
held up in touch in third, closed on leaders and still going well 3 out, not fluent on landing 2 out, rallied when ridden to press for second after final flight, no extra in third inside final 110 yards
held in rear, outpaced on landing after 3 out, soon beaten and untidy with tired jump 2 out, finished 48 lengths detached
NonRunner
Basford had an excellent chance of ending a frustrating sequence at Newton Abbot yesterday. This race marks the appearance under Rules of recent points winners WOODIE FLASH and Johnny Dogs with the former the least exposed. The other two have shown little so far.
Johnny Dogs (IRE) 5-1 (12-2) Made all, 6l adv aftr 4th, 2l adv 1/2way, chall 2out, asserted agn & 2l adv bef last, kow flat, won at Rathcannon 3m mdn sft in Apr beating Rushmount (12-2) by 4l, 10 ran.
Woodie Flash (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Twrds rr, mstk 4th, rdn & prog into 3rd bef 3out, 3l down when left in ld next, kow, won at Ballinaboola 3m mdn gd in Feb beating Outside Adesa (12-2) by 7 1/2l, 7 ran.
Matoury 250-1 (10-8) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, dist behind Bhaloo (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gs in Apr.
Artemis Sky 150-1 (11-4) Led early, prominent on inside, jumped right and mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, mistake 5th, tailed off when hampered 2 out, pulled up before last, at Stratford 2m mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Basford (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 8th, in touch with leaders 3 out when not fluent, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on into 2nd approaching last, kept on run-in, nearest finish, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Lune De La Mer (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in May.
