in touch, went 3rd after 4th, ridden after 3 out, led approaching next, clear last, kept on well
pulled hard, soon tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon lost pace
pulled hard early, held up, steady headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, no further impression
led until 4th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, hit 3 out, ridden and every chance approaching next, kept on same pace
tracked leader, hit 4th, soon ridden, weakened before next
lost touch approaching 5th, tailed off
in touch until weakened approaching 5th
Paro should safely have this wrapped up, with Waziri, Barella and Beechwood best of his rivals in this poor contest. Despite having to give weight away all round here, it is very hard to escape the claims of Paro who won unchallenged at Taunton in April. Granted, his task was made an awful lot easier when main rival Creinch departed two out, but even so he would probably have prevailed, and this drop in grade makes him look a virtual penalty kick. The fast ground is a big plus as well, and he should justify his likely short price under Tony McCoy. Wazir appears to be an obvious candidate for the frame, but he could not win a seller last time so it is hard to see him turning the favourite over. However, he is best of the rest ahead of Barella who will at least appreciate the drop back in trip after fading out of contention at Worcester, and Beechwood whose challenge ended with a mistake three out on his last visit here. It is a one horse race though in truth, with Paro hard to oppose.
Barella (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden and weakend 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind Coltscroft (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in May.
Beechwood 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Gemini Dancer (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Eyes To The Right (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 14, 25l behind Real Chief (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in May.
Hi Rudolf 7-1 (12-5) 2nd of 5, 20l behind To The Top (12-5) at Kimble 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Mambo (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Always behind, 5th of 10, well behind Stagecoach Diamond (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in May.
Waziri (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-11) Led 2nd until next, led 5th until 3 out, soon ridden, hit 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Random Quest (11-4) at N Abbot 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gf in May.
Ewar Finch (FR) 66-1 (9-9) Towards rear, hampered 4th, headway approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mickey Pearce (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f nov sll hdl (5) sft in May, 16 ran.
Paro (FR) 8-13fav (11-5) Made all, hard ridden when left well clear 2 out, unchallenged after, won at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) frm in Apr beating Cool Society (10-7) by a distance, 8 ran.