tracked leaders, took keen hold, led before 2 out, strongly challenged after last, all out, just held on
behind, headway after 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
always behind, pulled up after 3 out
in touch, not fluent 4th, effort 2 out, weakening when hampered last
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leader, led after 3 out, headed before next, weakening when mistake last
mid-division, headway 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, headway 2 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance after last, just failed
led, headed after 3 out, soon lost place
mid-division, weakened before 2 out
always behind
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders, stayed on same pace after last
Petit Robin was raised 6lb after winning at Ascot but Nicky Henderson combats that by putting up a 7lb claimer with Barry Geraghty taking the ride on Rebecca Curtis' Monte Cavallo. STARLUCK was only sixth in that Ascot race but wasn't far behind having being checked on the turn for home. The grey will strip fitter here and can have his revenge as the stiffer finish here should play to his strengths. Ifandbutwhynot has improved this season and should make a bold bid to complete the hat-trick while Dolatulo will probably be thereabouts again. Into Wain has been running on the all-weather and is preferred to Rowan Tiger and Swampfire of the remainder.
Petit Robin (FR) 15-8fav (11-9) Shared 2nd behind clear leader, closed 4th, led 2 out, driven out, won at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Nov beating First In The Queue (10-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Starluck (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden before next, soon no impression, 6th of 10, 8l behind Petit Robin (11-9) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Rowan Tiger 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, mistake 6th, headway before 4 out, soon chased leaders, weakened before last, 6th of 12, 16l behind Yesyoucan (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Monte Cavallo (SAF) 16-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and chance, mistake and weakened last, 7th of 15, 6l behind Raya Star (11-12) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside and not clearest of runs approaching 3 out, badly hampered next, recovered to stay on and chase leaders on outside and edged left before last, led last, driven clear, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Tanerko Emery (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Dolatulo (FR) 13-2 (11-9) With leader, led before 4th, clear before and blundered 2 out, ridden and jumped left last, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Romeo Americo (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Swampfire (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Led until after 2nd, chased leader until approaching 4th, chased leaders until pushed along and slightly outpaced approaching 2 out, driven to rally and one pace when squeezed out before last, kept on same pace in 4th run-in, 4th of 16, 8l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Into Wain (USA) 4-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 9, 26l behind Red Merlin (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Rajamand (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Raced wide, led, joined 2 out, soon ridden, headed soon after last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind James Pollard (10-13) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Canadian Diamond (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 4th, went 3rd before 3 out, went right and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Ifandbutwhynot (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Helium (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Held up behind, struggling 4th, chased leaders under pressure 3 out (usual 4 out), 4th and well held when left 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Eastlake (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chase (5) sft in May.
Softsong (FR) 7-4 (10-12) Keen towards rear, headway 4th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Valdez (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
