held up in touch, left in lead after 2 out, driven out
led, quickened pace 6th, narrow lead when sprawled on landing 2 out, not recover
chased leader, weakened 7th
chased leaders, weakened from 7th
in rear, soon detached, never dangerous, tailed off
towards rear, struggling from 6th
BUSKER ROYAL has the edge on Awesome George at the weights and is the preferred option; a big run from Laybach would be no big surprise. At the time of writing Nicky Henderson has had 15 winners from his last 46 runners, and operating at that 33% strike-rate he continues to have a wonderful season. Bucker Royal may not one of the stable stars but the 128-rated gelding comes here on the back of a fair effort behind Pterodactyl at Towcester. A step back up in trip is arguably in his favour and a repeat of his run behind Big Eared Fran at Sandown in March would be enough to win this. Awesome George gives the selection 7lbs and that may make life tough. Alan King's gelding looks flattered by his official rating of 132 and has struggled in recent handicap company. The step up in trip may bring about some more improvement but the feeling is that it will need to. Southern Exit ran a fair race in lesser company last time when second to Classic Swain but he is winless in 13 all told, whilst Laybach has been tailed off in two starts here and cannot be put forward with any confidence. This looks a good opportunity for Busker Royal to pick up almost ¿3000 in prize money.
Awesome George 12-1 (11-2) Held up, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 21, 11l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl 4yo+ (2) gs.
Busker Royal 11-8fav (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, with winner 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Pterodactyl (11-6) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Laybach (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Keen and soon tracking leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, last of 7, well behind Springfield Raki (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Three Boars 16-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 4th, chased leaders 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, 47l behind Springfield Raki (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Bitesize 200-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, lost place and weakened 4 out, 8th of 14, well behind Ready To Crown (10-5) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Southern Exit 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 19l behind Classic Swain (10-4) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Lisdonagh House (IRE) 150-1 (11-3) Held up, lost place 8th, 6th of 14, 42l behind Jokers Legacy (11-3) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
