tracked leader, led after 3rd, ridden and headed between last 2, lost 2nd at the last, 3rd and one pace run-in
led until after 3rd, pressed leader, led again between last 2, 1 length ahead last, headed and not pace of winner last 100 yards
last trio, never on terms
raced keenly in last pair, never on terms
chased leaders on inside, pushed along after 2 out, weakened on long run before the last
ran in snatches, chased leaders out wide, pushed along before 3 out, weakened after next
chased leaders out wide, went 2nd at the last, ridden and quickened to lead last 100 yards
ran without declared tongue tie, held up in last pair, jumped slowly 3 out, plugged on in modest 4th before the last
NonRunner
Teqany took his form to another level last year but he lacks a recent run and needs good ground so recent rain will not have been welcomed. The jury is out on Litterale Ci back over hurdles and Caius Marcius doesn’t appear the force of old while Some Day Soon may be a few pounds too high. Ballyellis showed himself to be better than a plater at Haydock, however, and is 3lb lower here with his rider taking off another 10lb. HOOPER was a lucky winner at Hereford in March but that victory clearly boosted his confidence as he stormed up the Cheltenham hill to catch a subsequent winner next time and may still be on a decent mark.
Some Day Soon (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Close up and disputed lead, led on the run to 3 out, pressed 3 out, soon ridden, led narrowly 2 out, headed last, kept on but always held run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Havana Hermano (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Reserve Tank (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened when outpaced after 2 out, 5th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Havana Hermano (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Litterale Ci (FR) 10-1 (11-8) In rear, detached after 3rd, pulled up before 7th, never travelling, at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Clever As A Fox (IRE) 66-1 (11-11) Prominent, with leaders 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 11, 16 1/2l behind Buzz (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Caius Marcius (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Prominent, slow 3rd, soon lost place, not fluent 4 out, well behind after, last of 7, 26 1/2l behind Blakeney Point (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Twin Star (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) With leader until before 3rd, stayed 2nd until after 6th, went 2nd again from normal 2 out, no impression, kept on, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind State Crown (10-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Hooper 7-2 (10-11) Mid-division, travelling well and tracked leader after the 5th, shaken up to make challenge run to the last, every chance when pushed along and disputing the lead at the last, soon led and kept on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Nordic Combined (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ballyellis (IRE) 22-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway from 2 out, went 4th last, stayed on, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Dell' Arca (10-10) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) sft in May.
Teqany (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up tracking leaders, pushed along and went 3rd before 2 out, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Sceau Royal (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
