took keen hold, tracked winner until before 3 out, soon pushed along, chased winner before last, kept on and no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
made all, ridden before 2 out, kept on well towards finish
in rear and in touch, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, jumped right 4th, chased winner before 3 out, lost 2nd before last, kept on to regain 2nd towards finish, always held
Franciscan was out of his depth at Kelso last time and will find this easier. But it's difficult to get away from DARK DUNE, who bolted up over course and distance two weeks ago having travelled strongly throughout. He still appears to be heading in the right direction. Ride The Range went close at Newcastle last month but Grandiloquent may need more time.
Dark Dune (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Mid-division in 4th, headway before 4 out to chase leader, led before 2 out, clear before last, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Benzanno (11-6) by 21l, 9 ran.
Franciscan 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders on outside, reminder 3rd, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Clever Cookie (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Grandiloquent 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, dropped to last pair and driven 4th, struggling 6th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Angelot Du Berlais (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Jan '13.
Ride The Range (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Master Red (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
