tracked winner, lost place after 3 out, driven to regain 2nd next, ridden between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression with winner from last
tracked front pair, effort to chase winner after 3 out to next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression in clear 3rd before last
held up, always in rear, lost touch 3 out, tailed off before next
made all, driven approaching 2 out, drew clear from last, ran on, readily
held up in 4th, outpaced from 3 out, no chance with front trio after
Black Corton came good at Exeter last month, beating stablemate Whipcord by more than four lengths. But a further step-up will be required here as OZZIE THE OSCAR is unbeaten in three starts over timber and has yet to be extended. Philip Hobbs' charge can complete his four-timer, despite conceding weight all round. West Approach has been quite highly tried so far but may not come into his own until tackling fences.
Ozzie The Oscar (IRE) 1-9fav (11-11) Led after 3rd, clear after next, blundered 2 out, kept on, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Apr beating Eamon An Cnoic (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Black Corton (FR) 6-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Apr beating Whipcord (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Weld Arab (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In rear, mistake 2nd, soon behind, tried to refuse 5th, pulled up before next, at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Apr.
West Approach 66-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, mid-division, lost place before 3 out, soon behind, 11th of 19, dist behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
The Lampo Genie 25-1 (9-3) Raced wide, close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 18 3/4l behind Fern Owl (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Yamllik 2-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up, waiting for room over 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Malaf (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
