Held up in touch, headway to chase leader 7th, ridden before 3 out, weakened
Made all, ridden 3 out, went clear 2 out, reduced lead on run in but always doing enough
Always in rear
Chased leader, mistake and dropped to rear 6th, headway to chase leader after 4 out, ridden before 3 out, ran on well after last but always held
Chased leader, dropped towards rear 4 out, ridden 3 out, kept on but no impression on leaders
NonRunner
Though second in four of his last five outings, Ar Mest is now 0-13 over fences. Winning hurdler Diamond Rose isn’t getting any younger and the far less-exposed STEADY THE SHIP is fancied to confirm last month’s course and distance running, despite worse terms. Champagne Terri doesn’t look a chasing type but Capricia was still travelling when falling at Leicester in January and has been given plenty of time to recover.
Ar Mest (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear on inside, well in touch 6th, ridden after 2 out, went 2nd last stride, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind First Revolution (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Steady The Ship (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Made all, increased tempo home turn, mistake 3 out, few lengths clear last, ran on well flat, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Diamond Rose (10-5) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Champagne Terri (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Wor Willie (9-6) at Thirsk 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Capricia (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, tracked leader 1st, led before 4th, 2 lengths ahead and going well when fell 3 out, at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Diamond Rose 8-1 (10-5) Held up, headway to go 2nd 3 out but could not go pace of leader, kept on well from last without threatening, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Steady The Ship (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Storm Rising (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) In rear, struggling and pulled up after 12th, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.