held up in touch on outside, closed 7th, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, went right, mistake and headed last, 3rd and well held flat
took keen hold, prominent, led before 3rd, not fluent 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, 4th and looking beaten when hampered last
held up in touch in rear, headway 2 out, led last, driven out
close up on inside, lost place before 2 out, well beaten flat
led until before 3rd, stayed handy, lost place after 3 out, rallied 2 out, every chance last, held flat, stayed on
The task of ABIDJAN is made more straightforward by the presence of his pilot who claims a valuable 7lb and the easy Warwick scorer, now back over hurdles, can follow up and provide another winner for Dan Skelton and Sam Davies-Thomas. A useful sort when with Paul Nicholls, he should prove a good money-spinner in the summer months for the Skeltons. Regulation would be a threat at his best but seems to be struggling for consistently good form at present and therefore recent course winner Star Foot could provide most danger, although now 5lb higher for that latest success. Domtaline will need to improve to contend despite receiving weight all round and Purple 'n Gold has been chasing for the past year.
Abidjan (FR) 7-4fav (11-3) In touch in 4th, led 3 out, clear before 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Warwick 2m hcp (2) gd in May beating Artifice Sivola (11-3) by 18l, 5 ran.
Regulation (IRE) 9-2 (12-1) Held up in touch in rear, outpaced when hit 3 out, no impression, 5th of 7, 11 3/4l behind Destiny's Gold (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Star Foot (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway before and mistake 2 out, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in May beating Jodies Jem (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 9-1 (12-2) Disputed 2nd until 4 out, 4th and beaten next, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 24 1/2l behind Minella Tweet (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Domtaline (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, ridden soon after and lost place, 5th of 6, 11 3/4l behind Lycidas (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp (3) gd in May.