led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with front pair
held up behind, headway 10th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, went 2nd after next, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner
held up mid-division in touch, tracked leaders 6th, went 2nd next, led approaching 2 out, clear on bit between last 2, very easily
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, soon behind, pulled up before next
mid-division, not fluent 7th, no impression when went left 10th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out
keen early, held up, always behind, hampered 10th, tailed off 3 out
mid-division, tracked leaders 8th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, moderate 4th next
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
always behind, struggling 6th, tailed off 3 out
keen early, tracked leader, lost place when not fluent 7th, behind from 10th, tailed off 3 out
Charlie Mann has a good strike rate this season and reaches for first-time blinkers for Almost Gemini after two exceptionally disappointing runs last month. Previous efforts were respectable in the context of this contest and he'll be a player if the headgear has the desired effect. FULL THROTTLE looks a far more solid option, though, as he boasts the best form on offer when hunting up Howaboutnow last November. With only two hurdling runs under his belt, he's a likely improver and the 3m trip seems sure to suit. Takeithandy shaped with a degree of promise on his hurdles debut at Towcester last month and the former pointer should be well suited by the additional distance here - he rates the each-way option.
Almost Gemini (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 9th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Shantou Tiger (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in May, 7 ran.
Desert Nova (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up, not fluent 2nd, not much room 10th, struggling next, blundered 4 out, left remote 4th 2 out, fell last, in a race won by Sultana Belle (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft in May, 6 ran.
Full Throttle (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Always prominent, hit 7th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Howaboutnow (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Jasper Jazz 14-1 (12-0) (tt) held up gng wl; hdwy 14; wknd qckly 3 out; pu nxt, in a race won by Third Chance (12-0) at Taunton Vale Harriers and Foxhou 3m ptp in Apr, 11 ran.
Kantara Star (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leader, led briefly 6th, ridden and lost 2nd after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Geton Xmoor (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn hdl (5) sft in May, 10 ran.
Kellslodge (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Led until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, remote 4th, 4th of 5, well behind Perfect Candidate (10-13) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in May.
Takeithandy (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Run On Sterling (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Turoyal (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, not fluent and no chance with winner from 3 out, went 2nd after last, 2nd of 7, 28l behind Twice Returned (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Amberjam (IRE) 33-1 (8-3) Always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off, 6th of 10, 31l behind See And Be Seen (8-13) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Apr (flat).
Minnie Mustang 20-1 (10-2) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 25l behind Belmount (11-2) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
