tracked leader, challenged 3 out, soon led, jumped big next, 4 lengths clear when mistake last, ridden out when pressed flat, kept on towards finish
held up in touch, struggling 4 out, 5th and plenty to do 2 out, soon ridden, rallied between last 2, 4 lengths down in 2nd last, stayed on to press winner flat, held towards finish
tracked leaders, went right 2nd, blundered 9th, outpaced by front pair 3 out, well held before last
not fluent, in touch, hampered and dropped to last pair 2nd, headway after 8th, outpaced 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off
led, headed after 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression when lost place between last 2, weakened last
chased leaders to 8th, soon behind, tailed off
Cut The Corner showed improved form at Newton Abbot last month but couldn’t cope with a weight rise at Uttoxeter next time, though still finished ahead of April’s Perth winner Wadswick Court. Poker School has every chance on these terms but has struggled to get his head in front over the last 18 months and is probably better over a bit further. A sharp track and 2m suit NOCHE DE REYES (NAP) and, though raised 2lb since a second at Ludlow, he looks the one to beat under useful 7lb claimer Noel George, though James Bowen’s allowance also brings Southwell second Mccabe Creek into the equation.
Cut The Corner (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 7th, chasing leaders when blundered badly 3 out, soon beaten, 10th of 17, 14 1/4l behind Drumcliff (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Wadswick Court (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, not fluent 3rd or 4th, lost 2nd next, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 15th of 17, dist behind Drumcliff (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Noche De Reyes (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased winner from next, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Festive Affair (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Poker School (IRE) 2-1fav (11-13) Held up towards rear, mistake 9th, headway before 4 out, 1 length 2nd when went left last, soon no impression on winner, lost 2nd last stride, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Robbing The Prey (11-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
McCabe Creek (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 5th, tracked leader, chased winner from last, always well held, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Oliver's Gold (11-12) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
River Purple 40-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th until 12th, chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Too Much Too Soon (11-11) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in May.
