in rear, sometimes lacked fluency, ridden after 6th, well behind 9th, tailed off
prominent, jumped slowly 4th, lost place 5th, reminders and dropped rear after 6th, well behind 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, improved 5th, went 2nd 7th, led 2 out, soon in command, easily
raced enthusiastically, in touch, led after 4th, clear after next until approaching 4 out, mistake 3 out, headed 2 out, lost 2nd when weakening before last
raced freely, prominent, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in last pair, headway 8th, went 3rd when blundered next, blundered 3 out, weakened 2 out
not always fluent, held up in last pair, not on terms but progress to go 4th after 9th, stayed on to take 2nd before last, no chance with winner
led, not fluent 4th, soon headed, not fluent 7th (water), soon lost place, went modest 4th approaching last, no chance
A competitive event where Cheeky Lad and Keepitsecret will both be popular with punters, but it may be worth chancing THE JOLLY SPOOFER at the likely odds. Emma Lavelle's gelding was pulled up when failing to stay here over 3m 4f last month, and reverts back to his optimum trip this time. 2m 4f and fast ground are ideal for him, the yard is among the winners and he has slipped to what looks an attractive mark so we will side with him. He will, however, face stiff enough opposition from Keepitsecret, who won at Newton Abbot over 2m 6f a few weeks ago before failing to defy a 12lb hike in the weights at Worcester. From the same mark today he will be competitive, but doesn't look nailed on, especially over a trip that is plenty short enough. Cheeky Lad has been in consistent form this spring and goes well here, though he has also gone up in the weights, a huge 19lbs, without winning. Therefore, there has to be some doubt about his ability to secure success again here. Commemoration Day races over what would probably be a minimum trip for him. He acts on the going and at the track, so has claims of his own despite being 4lbs higher than his best win. Waterspray has frame claims from his current mark, though he has never won over this far, and preference is for The Jolly Spoofer.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Led until after 1st, remained prominent, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon challenging, switched left and right before last, switched left again and half length down flat, always held, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Templer (11-7) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May.
The Jolly Spoofer (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) In rear, mistake 7th, ridden after 11th, always behind, pulled up before 15th, in a race won by Gallik Dawn (10-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May, 16 ran.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Held up in 3rd, raced keenly, went 2nd 9th, led 10th to 4 out, led 3 out, blundered badly 2 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace to last, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Dead Or Alive (10-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Cheeky Lad 7-1 (11-5) Slowly away, raced keenly in rear, headway 6th, not fluent 10th, went 2nd 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Tubber Gael Holly (10-6) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Phenix Jack (FR) 1-2 (12-0) (tt) ap; led aft 11 til fell 13, in a race won by Trizzy (11-7) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp, 6 ran.
Eljay's Boy 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, hit 6th, headway after 10th, 6 lengths down when hampered and fell 3 out, in a race won by Tubber Gael Holly (10-6) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 8 ran.
Flashy Sir 25-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th or 5th, went moderate fifth after 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 12l behind Tubber Gael Holly (10-6) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Waterspray (AUS) 5-2fav (11-8) Led until 5th, led 7th, mistake next, soon ridden, headed after 3 out, faded before last, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Bollitree Bob (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
