Bella Noir was engaged at Hamilton last night but Hakuna Matata also comes into this in decent form having run LE CHAT D'OR to three-quarters-of-a-length over C&D earlier this month. Brian Ellison's charge is 2lb better off so connections will fancy their chances of turning the tables but the winner would have been a more convincing scorer had he kept a straight line and is fancied to confirm the form and follow up this evening. The Osteopath has conditions to suit but isn't easy to predict nowadays while this looks too tough for April Fool. Daring Dream won this last year off a 5lb higher mark so has claims, however, though he hasn't managed a place in four outings so far this term.
April Fool 11-2 (9-0) Led at strong pace, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakening when wandered left and right inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 6l behind My Son Max (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May.
Robert The Painter (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Prominent, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra last 100 yards, 5th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Edmaaj (9-1) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
The Osteopath (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace and no impression, 7th of 11, 7l behind Levitate (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Koo And The Gang (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, 11th of 17, 21l behind Edmaaj (9-1) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Hakuna Matata 2-1fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, held close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Le Chat D'or (9-4) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Le Chat D'Or 5-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway 4f out, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, driven out, won at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) sft beating Hakuna Matata (9-7) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Bella Noir 85-40 (8-9) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Pendragon (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f 4yo sell stks (6) gd.
Daring Dream (GER) 5-1 (9-3) Held up, hung left from 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 5th of 9, 5l behind Oratory (9-7) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Dance The Rain 7-1 (9-6) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 11l behind Farang Kondiew (9-2) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
