led, headed over 6f out, soon weakened
mid-division, under pressure halfway, chased leaders over 7f out, weakened over 3f out, eased
held up in touch, chased leaders over 6f out, ridden to challenge over 3f out, led over 1f out, hard ridden, all out
chased leaders, led over 5f out, headed well over 1f out, no extra
mid-division, headway over 7f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well, never able to challenge
mid-division, under pressure 10f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, ridden halfway, soon beaten
prominent, led over 6fout, soon headed, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, just held
tracked leaders, under pressure over 3f out, soon weakened
pulled hard tracking leaders, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
NOBLE SCHOLAR seems as good a place to start as any in this contest and is put forwards ahead of Not So Sure Dick and Big Sam. Alan Swinbank is well known for his exploits in bumpers and he may yet to be able to get a win out of Noble Scholar who has failed to cut the mustard so far. However, he's entitled to learn with experience and may fare better now encountering quicker ground with a tongue tie on. It will be interesting to see if there's any support for Not So Sure Dick who is the sole runner at the track for his Warwickshire based trainer. He's a winner between the flags in Ireland so clearly has some ability and is one to be interested in. Big Sam is one of several that may be able to step up on debut form whilst Harsh But Fair is a Flat bred newcomer to be interested in but Noble Scholar may be able to pass this test. (Ian Ogg)
Auld Farmer 66-1 (11-3) Led until 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 35l behind Sir Frank (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Apr.
Big Sam 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 12, 29l behind Tiptoeaway (11-2) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs in Apr.
Noble Scholar (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Tiptoeaway (11-2) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs in Apr.
Not So Sure Dick (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Alw pr, cl 2nd bef 2out, ro but no ch with wnr, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Defying Gravity (12-0) at Tattersalls Farm 3m ire ptp fm in Apr.
Harsh But Fair Sakhee colt out of Royal Distant.
Why So Serious 66-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden and lost place over 5f out, soon behind, 11th of 17, 42l behind Nuts N Bolts (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Buymequick (IRE) Mr Combustible mare out of Boyne Judy.
Cool Water 50-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, 7th of 10, 14l behind Storm Kirk (10-6) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr.
Island Sprite (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up, pushed along halfway, struggling 5f out, tailed off, 7th of 9, 25l behind Sir Frank (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Apr.
Miss Vivian (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) In tch to 15, 5th of 13, 17l behind Darren (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Mystic Echo 50-1 (10-8) Always behind, 11th of 12, 30l behind Pure Anticipation (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m N H flat (6) gf.
Balwyllo (IRE) Hubbly Bubbly gelding out of Silver Gala.