prominent, led after 3rd, slow and headed next, lost 2nd and ridden 11th, hampered 12th, behind next, pulled up before 4 out
in rear, not fluent 2nd, closed 12th, weakened next, tailed off
led until after 3rd, led next, not fluent 10th, drawing clear when not fluent 2 out, easily
tracked leaders, closed 5th, went 2nd 11th, fell next
held up on outside, raced keenly, tried to close in 4th after 4 out, hanging right before 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, left 2nd 12th until 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, went 2nd again towards finish, no impression on winner
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, slow next, headway 12th, chased winner 4 out, close up next, not fluent and no impression 2 out, no extra flat, lost 2nd towards finish
withdrawn
Compadre has already won twice here this year but this is a step up in grade. Midnight Shot is a bit hit-and-miss but is due a good run and the booking of the champion suggests some confidence. Silver Tassie would have preferred easier ground but Van Gogh Du Granit is not without a chance having raced out of his depth in the Scottish National last time. CABARET QUEEN made mistakes and was too keen last time at Cheltenham but should be approaching peak fitness now and this is her time of year so the Skelton mare gets another chance.
Midnight Shot 7-1 (11-12) Towards rear and always struggling to go the gallop, not fluent 1st, reminders after 7th, not fluent next, ridden after next, pecked 10th, behind next, pulled up before 13th, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Marcilhac (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Chased leaders to 7th, mid-division, struggling 14th, never able to get on terms, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Van Gogh Du Granit (FR) 66-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, blundered 14th, mistake 5 out soon outpaced, weakened next, 12th of 23, 36 3/4l behind Takingrisks (10-1) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Cabaret Queen 4-1jfav (11-5) Chased leaders on outside, blundered 15th, went 2nd before 17th until approaching 2 out, hanging left and pressing for 2nd flat, no impression on winner, no extra towards finish, 4th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Goodnight Charlie (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Elkstone 12-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 11th, outpaced after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 9, dist behind Some Chaos (10-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Sporting Boy (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, slow next, soon lost place, rallied after 2 out, never a threat, modest 3rd, 3rd of 8, 34l behind Champagne Champ (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Compadre (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Held up in last pair, closer in 4th at 8th, 2nd going well 4 out, led and pecked next, blundered badly 2 out, soon recovered and went clear, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Iskabeg Lane (11-7) by 7l, 5 ran.
Silver Tassie (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up, took closer order 8th, driven to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 6, 18 3/4l behind Takingrisks (10-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
