held up, not fluent 5th, lost place from 3 out
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, smooth headway 5th, went 2nd 2 out, led on bit approaching last, drew clear flat, hard held
held up in rear, blundered 6th, headway after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
led, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on, no chance with winner
held up, mistake 4th, struggling from 6th
Thenameescapesme was given a typical McCoy ride when successful at Towcester earlier this month and, having been raised just 3lbs for that, Tom George's gelding is taken to follow up here, getting the verdict ahead of Earlsfield Raider and Jazz Dance. The last mentioned was good value for his defeat of Jupon Vert at Taunton last month but he is not the most reliable of performers and Charlie Mann's gelding was subsequently well held at Huntingdon so he looks best watched. Lucy Wadham's Boss Imperial was good value for his win at Market Rasen recently and has to be respected on that evidence but he may struggle to follow up under his penalty today. Recent Worcester winner Earlsfield Raider has to be respected on that showing but that success came on a soft surface and, unless the rain arrives, Caroline Bailey's gelding may be best left out of calculations. Muntami was there with every chance but was headed after the last at Towcester by Thenameescapesme and, while narrowly beaten that day, his conqueror that day is taken to get the better of him again and gets the vote.
Olmeto Collonges (FR) 14-1 (11-9) With leader, lost place 3 out, 13th of 22, 27l behind Lease Lend (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Earlsfield Raider 11-1 (10-11) Led, ridden after 5th, headed approaching 2 out, not fluent last, soon led, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Apr beating Acapulco Bay (10-3) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Jazz Dance (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on one pace flat, 3rd of 17, 8l behind King's Head (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Muntami (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 4th, challenged 3 out, took narrow lead 2 out, headed flat, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Thenameescapesme (11-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Thenameescapesme 4-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, hard ridden, close 3rd last, stayed on under strong pressure to lead close home, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf beating Midnight Spirit (9-7) by a nk, 10 ran.
Boss Imperial (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Led after 1st, hit 3 out, ridden next, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating Weet Yer Tern (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bedouin Blue (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leader until 3rd, ridden 5th, soon struggling, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Chaninbar (10-12) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
General Smith 12-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 28l behind Temple Place (11-6) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
