mid-division, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well
chased leaders, lost place after 3 out, no impression after, went 4th flat
led, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, clear before 2nd, headed and not fluent 2 out, 3rd and no extra last
towards rear, jumped right 4th, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, slow 1st and awkward, well beaten before 2 out
in touch, ridden after 3 out, 4th and no extra 2 out
jumped right, towards rear, reminder 3rd, remote 5th 2 out
chased leader, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner flat
Bells Express should be capable of better after just two hurdle starts but CHARLES ST has to be the selection given he has been narrowly beaten in three of his five hurdle runs and is getting plenty of weight from older rivals. Bix Beiderbecke has been showing promise in bumpers but Resplendent Grey looks the danger despite carrying extra for his maiden victory at Wetherby.
Resplendent Grey (IRE) 15-8fav (11-6) Headway chasing leaders after 3rd, went 2nd between last two, two lengths down when went left last, quickened run-in to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gs in Apr beating Clody Flyer (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Bells Express (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Led, not fluent and headed 5th, tracked winner until next, lost touch from 2 out, last of 5, 32 1/4l behind Fourofakind (10-10) at Haydock 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Bix Beiderbecke (FR) 12-1 (11-0) In rear, in touch with leaders over 2f out, pushed along 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Kingston Bridge (11-0) at Kelso 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Captain Nelson (IRE) 200-1 (11-6) Always behind, 11th of 13, 30 1/2l behind Resplendent Grey (11-6) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Desert Stranger 200-1 (11-6) Chased leader, pushed along and outpaced from 3 out, no extra last, 4th of 9, dist behind Thistle Ask (11-6) at Ayr 2m mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Last Mission (FR) 125-1 (11-4) Raced wide and keen, left in lead 1st, headed and weakened quickly after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) hvy in Apr.
Sea Prince (FR) 300-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, well behind 3 out, 8th of 11, 31 3/4l behind Fortescue Wood (12-0) at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Charles St Evensfav (11-0) Chased winner until 5th, not fluent 2 out, soon went 2nd again, jinked right last, switched left flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 6, shd behind Jikala (10-7) at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gs in Mar.
