tracked leader, led before 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, ridden and kept on flat, held on towards finish
led, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, disputing 10 lengths 3rd, and no impression when fell last
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd between last 2, 5 lengths down last, ridden and stayed on well flat, held towards finish
in rear, lost touch 7th, no danger after, left poor 4th last
held up, headway 4 out, ridden and effort 2 out, left clear 3rd last, no impression with first two
Nonrunner
Willie Pep is readily preferred to his more experienced counterparts Chrysander and Safari Run. Tony McCoy and Charles Egerton always merit respect when they team up and have a fourty three per cent strike rate with chasers over the past five seasons although the trainer doesn't have a great record with his runners here. As for the horse's form, there are no concerns on that front as he was last seen making the smart Deep Purple work hard in a Grade 2 contest at Ascot and he's sure to have been well schooled. Chrysander lost little in defeat to the remarkable Orpen Wide last time and should benefit from this slightly shorter trip but the trip may not benefit Safari Sun who won so readily over two and a half miles on her chase bow last month. Nelson Du Ronceray, Creinch and Double Vodka are not without interest but Willie Pep makes most appeal to our eyes.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, effort 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 15, 14l behind Little Bob (11-1) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Creinch 5-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind That Look (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Double Vodka (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along 5th, weakened 4 out, 11th of 14, well behind The Rocking Dock (9-13) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Earl Sigurd (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 9th, no extra from 3 out, 5th of 6, well behind Safari Run (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in May.
Pilca (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out, no extra approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 21l behind The Rocking Dock (9-13) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Chrysander 11-10fav (11-5) Led, mistake 7th, mistake and headed 3 out, rallied to lead 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Orpen Wide (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Safari Run (IRE) Evensjt-fav (10-4) Held up in rear, headway 8th, led 2 out, headed after last, rallied to lead near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in May beating Premier Dane (11-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Sandy Bay (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway chased leaders 3rd, weakened 5th, 12th of 15, well behind Goldan Jess (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Soubriquet (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden and effort 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind The Rocking Dock (9-13) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Willie Pep (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Deep Purple (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Dec.