mid-division, weakening when pulled up before 5th, lame
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, chased leader 3 out, ridden and chased leader 2 out, not quicken
chased leader, led 2nd to approaching 3rd, led after 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied last, led close home
held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, kept on one pace
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
led 2nd, led approaching 3rd to after 4th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, hit last, hard ridden flat, headed close home
held up behind, smooth headway after 3 out, ridden and every chance when pecked badly 2 out, not recover
held up towards rear, good headway to chase leader 3 out, every chance 2 out and last, no extra flat
held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
Long Road lines up in a bit of form and can pay to follow at the expense of Royal Prodigy, My True Romance and Honan. Long Road appeared to be a progressive sort when scoring at Newmarket for Jeremy Noseda two years ago, but did not do much when bought to go hurdling in Ireland and has since moved to Jonjo O'Neill for whom he was successful, albeit narrowly, at Wincanton in May. It is debatable whether he would have followed up at Towcester next time as he looked held when clouting the final flight, causing his rider to lose an iron, but the faster ground here will help and overall he looks the one to be on. Royal Prodigy has picked up a couple of minor races in the Channel Islands but seemingly has it to do, while My True Romance defied an absence to make a winning debut over hurdles at Cartmel the other week and may be of interest for place backers. Honan has form over the course-and-distance but was eased when beaten at Towcester and will appreciate being back on this track. Avesomeofthat should be involved as well with his rider taking off a handy 7lb, but we shall stay loyal to Long Road.
Honan (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 45l behind Merryvale Man (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in May.
Diamond Cutter (NZ) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, behind, headway 3 out, weakened next, 12th of 15, 40l behind Texas Holdem (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Long Road (USA) 11-8fav (11-2) Chased leaders, chased winner after 3 out, 7 lengths down when rider lost iron last, not recover, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Schoolhouse Walk (9-11) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in May.
Avesomeofthat (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Soon led, clear 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 17, 12l behind Long Road (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May.
The Castilian (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 5th of 13, 12l behind Cannon Fire (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Royal Prodigy (USA) 14-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, weakened last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind After Lent (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 1f cnd clm hdl (5) gf in May.
My True Romance (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Classic Calvados (10-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
Jamaaron 8-1 (9-11) Behind, headway after 6th, led 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 17, 7l behind Ambersong (11-13) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Feb.
