led until after 3rd, tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and looked beaten when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd or 5th, left 3rd 2 out, no impression
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased winner next, stayed on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out, soon beaten, blundered and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leader, led after 3rd, clear last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden after next, no impression when hampered 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, went 4th after 2 out, no chance with leaders
Sedgefield specialist Counsel has his sights lowered after finishing fifth at Sandown. Flaming Arrow arrives in terrific form and on a hat-trick after victories at Fakenham and Hexham but the handicapper has done his no favours here while the four-year-old Lone Foot Laddie may have been flattered by his recent course and distance win. JONNY DELTA was fancied to take the step up this grade in his stride at Ayr last time but was let down by his jumping. He was beaten a couple of lengths at the line, however, and is worth another chance as Parson's Punch has been off the track since the autumn and Claude Carter could find this company too hot.
Counsel (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Led, ridden well before 2 out, headed 2 out, chased leading pair under pressure, lost 3rd between last 2, weakened soon after, 5th of 11, 14l behind Ptit Zig (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Flaming Arrow (IRE) 10-11fav (10-9) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway after 3rd, led last, ridden clear, ran on well, won at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Maggio (11-12) by 5l, 10 ran.
Jonny Delta 5-4fav (11-3) Held up in last, not fluent 3rd, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Cool Baranca (9-12) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Lone Foot Laddie (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, led before last, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Another Mattie (10-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Bow Badger 8-1 (10-9) Chased leader until 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 9, 37l behind Bar De Ligne (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Apr.
Parson's Punch 22-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, not much room before 4 out, ridden after last, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Parc Des Princes (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Claude Carter 20-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 39l behind Deepsand (10-10) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Apr.
