tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th, hit next, ridden approaching last, led flat, ran on
keen close up, hit 6th, reminders soon after, ridden and weakened 2 out
in rear, hit 5th, ridden and outpaced 3 out
took keen hold in touch, improved to track leaders 4th, ridden approaching last, found nil, plugged on
tracked leader until 7th, dropped to rear next
always towards rear, ridden 7th, weakened next
in touch, headway after 3 out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd near finish
led, ridden 2 out, headed flat, lost 2nd near finish
VALLEYOFMILAN makes most appeal in this. A runner-up at Uttoxeter in June, the winner has since gone in again and subsequent four-time winner Bobowen was well beaten in third. Donald McCain's charge is just preferred to Barrakilla who was having his first start for nearly a year when going close on his hurdling bow at Worcester last month but Reaction will find this tougher having only landed a seller at Stratford recently. Mr Watson finished third in a Fairyhouse bumper in April and is worth noting on his first start for Jonjo O'Neill while Milan Royale is a newcomer to keep an eye on in the betting.
Barrakilla (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, headway after 4th, hung left and led 2 out, hung left again and headed before last, led flat, headed final 100 yards, held close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Thomas Crapper (10-12) at Worcester 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Kingaroo (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up behind, weakening when jumped right 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Wordy's Boy (11-2) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Milan Royale Milan gelding out of Siroyalta.
Mr Watson (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway into 5th 2f out, ridden in 3rd and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Balnaslow (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f NH flat gs in Apr.
Our Golden Boy (IRE) 80-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, behind when jumped badly right 5th, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Jackson Cage (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Siberian Sun (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear and keen, never a factor, 7th of 10, 24l behind Porgy (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Timesishard (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Rr mid div, prog 6th 4out, rddn in 4th 3out & went 2nd bef 2out, no ch with wnr in 3l 2nd when mstk last, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Oscatara (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp sft in Apr.
Valleyofmilan (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Prominent, ridden to chase winner 3 out, stayed on flat, no impression, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Lucky Vic (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jun.
Reaction 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, led next, ridden clear before last, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m sell hdl (5) gs in Oct beating Peaks Of Fire (10-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
Whispering Bob (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outside, headway over 7f out, weakened 1f out, 4th of 9, 17l behind Wintered Well (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (5) gd in May.
