led, very long at the 9th, headed 2 out, no extra flat
mid-division, headway after 4 out, one pace from 3 out, weakened flat
held up in rear, slow 1st, headway after 4 out, disputing 3rd when blundered 3 out, no extra next
tracked leader before 1st until 8th, not fluent 4 out, losing place when eased and pulled up before 3 out
in rear, many mistakes, 6th and no impression 3 out, well beaten after
2nd until before 1st, chased leaders, outpaced after 8th, remote 5th 3 out, rallied last, surged to lead flat, soon clear
chasing leaders 2nd, not fluent next, challenged 3 out, led next, headed flat, not able to match winners finishing surge
It will be interesting to see how old Creevytennant fares back in handicap company after making all for a bloodless victory in a hunter chase at Perth but he’s giving weight to some less-exposed and much younger chasers. Crookstown looks to have plenty of his plate while Viens Chercher is having a first run in almost six months but recent winners Earthmoves and The Clock Leary have earned a crack at this higher level. Mont Royale won at Cartmel last month but no excuse was forthcoming for an earlier poor run behind Crookstown at Haydock. JOVIAL JOEY made giant strides in the second half of last season and has the ground in his favour again as well as Daragh Bourke’s 5lb claim – he could be the value in a trappy contest.
Creevytennant (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Made all, soon 20 lengths clear, jumped right throughout, unchallenged, won at Perth 3m (6) gd in May beating Monsieur Jourdain (12-2) by 36l, 9 ran.
Viens Chercher (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led, ridden before last, headed towards finish, no extra, 3rd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Premier Bond (11-6) at Doncaster 3m (4) gd in Jan.
Mont Royale 10-1 (11-7) Held up off the pace in 5th, headway before 9th, close 2nd last, led just before last bend, stayed on, driven out, won at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in May beating Alderbrook Lad (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Jovial Joey (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, 2 lengths advantage when left clear last, ridden out flat, eased towards finish, won at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Bright Prospect (10-11) by 2l, 10 ran.
Crookstown (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Earthmoves (FR) 11-4 (11-8) Jumped well, led until 11th, led 4 out, clear after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in May beating Gone Platinum (11-3) by 11l, 5 ran.
The Clock Leary (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Made all, clear from 4 out, comfortably, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in May beating Chankillo (11-6) by 5l, 6 ran.
