held up towards rear, good headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, quickly weakened approaching 2 out, soon pulled up
led from 1st, headed after 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader, led 3 out, kept on well
behind, outpaced 7th, stayed on from 2 out
tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 2 out, stayed on from last
led until jumped slow 1sft, soon lost place, weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
held up, outpaced 3 out, in 4th, held when blundered last
in rear, soon raced keen, led after 3rd, headed 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, hit 4th, some headway 7th, one pace from 2 out
Oenologue gets the vote ahead of Sherwoods Folly, Jack The Blaster and High Commision. Oenologue created a big impression on his second racecourse appearance in France in May, scoring very easily at Auteuil, after which he was bought by J P McManus. Sent off as a warm favourite on his British debut at Stratford last month, he found little off the bridle and was well beaten. However, he may well have needed the run, and this step up in trip can only be in his favour. On breeding, a future over fences beckons, but with Tony McCoy on board again, we shall take him to get the losses back. Sherwoods Folly was down the field in the Aintree Champion Bumper in April and makes his debut over hurdles here. He may be best watched on this occasion but should be followed, while stablemate High Commission falls into the same category. Jack The Blaster did not beat much on his bumper bow at Carlisle in April but is another that is expected to improve in time, with preference today for the more experienced Oenologue.
Oenologue (FR) 11-8fav (11-8) Chased leaders, chased winner after 3 out, 3rd and weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 12, 27l behind Thenford Flyer (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.
High Commission 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, every chance and edged left over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, 4th of 8, 18l behind Aitch Doubleyou (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) sft in May.
Jack The Blaster 7-2jt-fav (11-4) In touch, headway over 6f out, led over 2f out, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Mar beating Cavers Glen (10-3) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Presentable (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened 7th, 6th of 10, 18l behind Keltic Rock (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Sherwoods Folly 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and lost place after 6f, soon behind, 17th of 22, well behind Pangbourne (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
St Valentine 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, last of 9, well behind Wizard of Odds (11-0) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gf in Oct.
Two Tonys Sham (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led, hit 5th, headed 7th, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 14, well behind The Whisperer (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Westgate (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 13th of 19, 30l behind Spear Thistle (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Obara d'Avril (FR) 50-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, 7th of 16, 31l behind Goldstar Dancer (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gd.
Lady Speaker 6-1 (10-7) Prominent, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 16, 30l behind Boulders Beach (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Apr.
