tracked leader, led 2nd, pushed along on stable bend after 7th, led next, made rest, ridden between last 2, stayed on to assert last, driven clear
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 7th, 2nd after 3 out, challenged after next, soon ridden, no extra last
held up tracking leaders, disputing close 2nd when bumped 3 out, driven and weakened before next
led until mistake and headed 2nd, chased winner, not fluent next, led again approaching 6th until 8th, chased winner until after 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace in 3rd
A runner-up on both previous starts, LOU VERT was still in contention when falling at Wincanton last time. Paul Nicholls’ charge gets another chance in this. Starkie was well beaten at Southwell last time but that may have come too soon after winning over course and distance only seven days earlier while Gores Island and Pearls Legend are struggling at present but the latter takes a further drop down the weights having won off a 10lb higher mark in the past.
Pearls Legend 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, (usual 7th), soon behind and struggling, no danger after, last of 7, 18 1/2l behind Imperial Presence (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Gores Island (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up on inside, not fluent 4th, mistake 12th, ridden 13th, never involved, well beaten 4 out, 5th of 7, 24 1/4l behind Morning Reggie (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Lou Vert (FR) 5-2jfav (11-6) Tracked leaders, reached at 2nd, jumped left 9th (water), yet to be asked for effort and every chance when fell 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Starkie 15-8fav (11-8) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 5, 22l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-11) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
