led, headed briefly 13th, regained lead 6 out, ridden before 2 out, ran on well
held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on
mid-division, pulled up after 11th
mid-division, pushed along 6 out, no extra
always towards rear, pulled up
held up, pulled up before 6 out
always towards rear, pulled up
chased leader, led briefly 13th, headed 6 out, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
prominent, ridden 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, ran on without threatening winner after last
mid-division, ridden before 4 out, kept on
MIDNIGHT MUSTANG may be a 14-year-old but he has won this season and was second in this race when it was last run in 2019 with Packettotherafters only fourth. He’s 2lb lower today and Harrison Beswick takes off a further 5lb so expect a big run with many of his rivals also in the veteran stage. Only Gorgeous was third at Fontwell last month but still isn’t firing on all cylinders. Kiera Royale will have stamina to prove but the much younger Furius De Ciergues should be thereabouts having won over an extended 3m2f at Sedgefield two runs ago while Taboo was only beaten half-a-length last time at Uttoxeter.
Furius De Ciergues (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Close up behind leaders, under pressure in fourth approaching 4 out, kept on to take third close home, 3rd of 10, 14 1/4l behind Catlin (10-6) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Kiera Royale (IRE) 22-1 (10-4) Towards rear, some progress before 4 out, just behind leader 3 out, ridden after 2 out, close 3rd jumping last, could not go with front pair late on, 3rd of 14, 7 1/2l behind Candy Lou (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Only Gorgeous (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Jumped left on occasions, prominent, chased leader 4th, lost place 13th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, rallying when mistake 3 out, ridden and went third before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 7, 10 1/4l behind Friends Don't Ask (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) gf in Mar.
Shininstar (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Midfield, moved into prominent position 3rd, led narrowly 8th, headed 4 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Packettotherafters (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden after 15th, no impression from from 3 out, 5th of 6, dist behind First Class Return (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Teviot Prince (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway 15th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Game Line (12-1) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Midnight Mustang 11-2 (10-3) Led, not fluent 4th, pressed after 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden and held when not fluent last, 5th of 15, 9 1/4l behind Maasai Warrior (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Taboo (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Led, joined 2 out, in leading pair at last, ridden and headed on run in, ran on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Chase The Wind (11-11) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Just In A Muddle (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Towards rear, last and pushed along 9th, behind next, pulled up before 4 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Inspireus (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, pulled up 3 out, at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
