tracked leader, hit 2nd, challenged 3 out, led next, driven out, held on well
chased leaders, every chance 2 out, 4th and beaten last, one pace, no extra final 100 yards
led, not fluent 3rd, reached at 8th, mistake 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and no extra towards finish
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place 7th, well beaten after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, ridden after 7th, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway on inside 7th, mistake 3 out, went 2nd after last, stayed on, just held
A tricky puzzle to solve, despite the small field. Xpo Universel has not managed a win of any description in 67 career starts, however, while Motion To Strike is 0-18 under Rules, though has been knocking on the door lately. Honourable Gent goes well fresh so a lengthy absence is not necessarily a disadvantage. He reappears on a winning mark and has the class to go close but ZOLFO, who has been in good form at Bangor lately, might just be suited by this drop in distance given he was clear turning for home last time. Little Stevie may need another run to put him straight and Charlie Snow Angel seems better on ground with some give.
Honourable Gent 13-8 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 3rd, led 6th, pressed when left clear 2 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Jethro (11-9) by 21l, 4 ran.
Little Stevie 3-1 (11-9) Tracked winner, no extra and lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Ballyvic Boru (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
Zolfo (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Led, 4 lengths clear 2 out, joined last, soon headed and ridden, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Cafe Au Lait (11-1) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Charlie Snow Angel 10-3 (11-0) In touch, tracked leader from 3rd, led after 3 out, ridden clear between last 2, all out final 50 yards, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Apr beating Halcyon Days (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Xpo Universel (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Led early, prominent, tracked leader 5f out, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 23 1/2l behind Royal Cosmic (9-8) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (6) sft in Jun.
Motion To Strike (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up, hit 5th, headway 3 out, 2nd 2 out, ridden and no impression final 150 yards, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Civil Unrest (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
