led at good pace, clear 3rd, hit next, headed approaching 5th, soon ridden, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden and some headway after 3 out, no impression after, left 3rd last
always towards rear, tailed off from 3 out
held up, headway to lead approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, left clear last
chased leader from 3rd, ridden approaching 5th, weakened 3 out
held up behind, mistake 2nd, not fluent 3rd and 5th, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, 2 lengths clear and staying on when fell last
The versatile Devote holds strong claims here and is taken to beat Major Belle and Gregorian. Jimmy Frost's gelding returns after a couple of fruitless efforts on the flat at Bath and Chepstow, but is much better over the jumps as he proved when landing a Taunton seller back in March over this trip. He can go on any ground and looks the one to beat. Gregorian appears to have gone off the boil in recent races but if reproducing his winter form when successful at Leicester and Ludlow he must be in with a chance. A bigger threat to the selection could be Major Belle a winning French chaser, now with Martin Pipe. He didn't cut much ice on his British debut last month, but it was a much better contest and he looks certain to improve. The Frost yard also send out Knight Of Silver who should be watched closely in the market, but on this occasion we will side with his stablemate and plump for Devote.
