tracked leaders in close 4th, 2nd after 3 out until before next, 3rd and bad blunder 2 out, not recover
held up in last pair, closer in 5th 9th, chased leaders before 3 out, went 2nd and mistake 2 out, held when went right last, stayed on same pace run-in
tracked leader, hit 6th, lost 2nd after 12th, 2nd again and hit 14th, led before 3 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly
jumped left and never fluent, held up in 5th, behind and went left 9th, jumped awkwardly and pulled up before 11th
led until before 3 out, lost 2nd and weakened soon after 3 out
jumped right at times, tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 12th until 14th, reminders after next, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
held up last, blundered badly and unseated rider 4th
Harry Skelton has a decent book of rides including the likely favourite FIRST CLASS RETURN (NAP) in this. Olly Murphy’s eight-year-old has won both starts over course and distance and can defy a further 9lb rise to complete the hat-trick. Primal Focus will have needed his run at Wincanton and Manwell still appeared to be travelling well enough when carried out at Haydock but Antony was still well beaten when second at Fakenham and the others are struggling for form.
As You Like (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden after 15th, not fluent 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Head To The Stars (10-11) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Manwell (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up, hit 14th, headway to track leaders home turn and going well when ran out 4 out, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
William Of Orange 10-3 (11-12) Held up behind leaders, almost on terms 15th, pushed in 3rd after 17th, hit 4 out and ridden, well behind jumping 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, dist behind Gran Paradiso (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Antony (FR) 4-1 (10-3) Jumped left throughout, held up behind front pair, pushed into 2nd 3 out, chased leader before 2 out, ridden after 2 out and lost ground on leader, kept on, 2nd of 4, 17l behind Potters Legend (11-4) at Fakenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Mr Mafia (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Pressed leader until ridden 12th, weakened quickly and not fluent 3 out, pulled up next, at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
First Class Return (IRE) 10-11fav (11-10) Close up and tracked leader, good jump 12th and soon led, ridden when briefly pressed 3 out, kicked clear after 2 out, clear lead last, pushed out, easy, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Miss Antipova (10-3) by 12l, 7 ran.
Primal Focus (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 9, 25l behind Kauto The King (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
