with leader, led after 10th, headed 3 out, kept on and no chance with winner
held up towards rear, pushed along before 5 out, no impression
tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon clear, not fluent 2 out, ridden before last, kept on strongly
in touch, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
led, and jumped left, headed after 10th, one pace over 3 out
in rear, pushed along 3 out, soon headway, kept on and never dangerous
Clubs Are Trumps was a very easy winner at Chepstow earlier this month but has been rewarded with an 11lb rise and he was well beaten behind TWOJAYSLAD at Warwick in December. Ian Williams’ charge has been pulled up in both starts since but a return to a venue at which he’s won in the past should be beneficial. He’s just preferred to Ultimatum Du Roy but the latter has also won here in the past and has won twice over this trip at Ludlow this season. The remaining trio would all need to improve on recent form to take a hand in the finish.
Twojayslad 5-2fav (10-11) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, weakened after 5 out, mistake next, soon pulled up, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Clubs Are Trumps (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd soon after 5 out, led before 3 out, clear before next, not fluent last, very easily, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Thegreendalerocket (11-11) by 13l, 8 ran.
Ultimatum Du Roy (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, lost place before 3rd, closed before 12th, jumped left next, 3rd from 15th, soon outpaced, plugged on flat, closed on 2nd, no impression on winner, 3rd of 7, 10 1/4l behind William Money (11-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Get Involved (IRE) 15-2 (10-3) Led until 1st, tracked leader until hampered and unseated rider 8th, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Rough Justice (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway to join winner 11th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened before last, 3rd of 13, 26l behind Blue Kascade (11-5) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Sirius Star 40-1 (10-4) In touch early, towards rear, pushed along before 12th, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 29l behind Drumlee Lad (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.