raced wide, led until over 4f out, chased leading pair after but no chance, weakened and lost 2 places close home
held up, headway to chase leaders halfway, led over 4f out, came well clear final 2f, eased close home
chased leader until lost place quickly halfway, soon driven along and struggling in rear, stayed on again final 2f
took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd halfway until outpaced over 5f out, stayed on again final 2f, went 4th close home
close up disputing 4th until halfway, driven along and struggling 5f out, tailed off
held up, headway halfway, joined leaders over 6f out, every chance over 4f out until outpaced and no chance with winner final 2f
close up disputing 4th, badly outpaced over 5f out, rallied final 2f, went modest 3rd close home
The market is likely to prove helpful in assessing expectations in the finale with a number of runners of interest. It's always worth paying close attention when Tony McCoy teams up with Charlie Egerton and the pair combine with Prairie Hero who certainly looks the part on paper. However, token preference at this stage is for HAVINGOTASCOOBYDO who represents a yard that have enjoyed a modicum of success in this sphere. The gelding ran on well to land an Irish point at the fourth time of asking and may have sufficient talent to make an impression at this level. Queens Bay seems likely to relish the conditions whilst it would be no surprise to see Pontyates achieve more than he did at Ffos Las on debut when tailed off.
Double Or Quitz 40-1 (10-9) Disputed lead until definate advantage 9f out, headed over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 8th of 9, well behind Dunraven Storm (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Havingotascoobydo (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Alw pr, ld 3out, row, won at Loughbrickland 3m ire ptp hvy in Mar beating Panama Canal (12-0) by 10l, 11 ran.
Just Unique 12-1 (11-7) 6th of 15, well behind Banjaxed Girl (11-0) at Ashorne 3m ptp in May '09.
Pontyates 10-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, pushed along before halfway, tailed off over 4f out, last of 7, well behind Character Actor (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Brackenwood Morpeth gelding out of Sarena Pride.
Prairie Hero (GER) Big Shuffle gelding out of Prairie Princess.
Queens Bay Karinga Bay filly out of Minibelle.