tracked leader until 3rd, 2nd again 7th, led before 10th, clear between last two, kept on strongly, ridden out
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until 7th, chased leaders, reminders before 11th, outpaced 4 out, plugged on into modest 4th next
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd before last, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up in last pair, reminders after 7th next and 10th, struggling in rear before 12th, tailed off
led, jumped slowly 2nd, headed before 10th, chased winner until 4 out, weakened soon after
held up in last pair, jumped slowly 10th, headway 12th, 3rd 4 out, driven and went 2nd before the last, kept on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
A couple of recent course winners on show. Master Rajeem scored over a longer trip here a week ago and carries a penalty while EDMUND won over track and trip last month. The application of blinkers seemed to do the trick for the latter last time and they remain in place for this. Upped 8lb today, he’s won off the same mark in the past and should confirm latest running with runner-up King Of The Dark. Down Time has been placed on the Flat at Southwell recently and won twice over fences last year while the veteran Carters Rest scored at Market Rasen in November but remains 4lb higher.
Edmund (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Prominent, led 6th until before 8th, led 12th, mistake next, clear approaching last, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating King Of The Dark (10-8) by 8l, 7 ran.
Master Rajeem (USA) 2-1 (11-2) Led, pushed along and headed 10th, soon regained lead, headed before 2 out, led again before last, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in May beating My Friend George (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Ever So Much (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) In rear, went remote 4th from 4 out, never a factor, 4th of 6, 23 1/4l behind Asuncion (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Down Time (USA) 4-1 (8-11) Dwelt held up in rear, ridden 4f out, headway under pressure from over 1f out, no impression towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Moonshine Ridge (8-9) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Carters Rest 10-1 (11-5) Led to 6th, lost before 4 out, weakening when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Ciceron (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, no impression, well beaten when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
King Of The Dark (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Led until not fluent 6th, not fluent 11th, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on before last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Edmund (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
