in rear, struggling final 7f
slightly hampered and swerved right start, in rear, headway over 6f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, ridden 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, no impression when hung left over 1f out
raced keenly, led 2f, remained prominent, ridden 7f out, weakened 5f out
tracked leaders, chased winner over 4f out until over 2f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, raced keenly, headway to lead after 5f, headed 10f out, 2nd until over 4f out, weakened 3f out
with leader, led after 2f, headed after 5f, regained lead 10f out, easily drew clear final 2f
chased leaders, ridden over 5f out, weakened 3f out
held up towards rear, pulled hard, headway over 8f out, weakened 3f out
always behind, losing touch 7f out, tailed off
RHONDDA BOY looks the one to be on here, while Quedillac is a likely improve, and Major Payne an interesting newcomer. Rhondda Boy should have learned plenty from his Chepstow introduction back in April, and he has had two months back at the yard since then to show signs of improvement. Peter Bowen does not have a bad record in this sort of contest and he may have found another winner for the yard in this grey gelding. Quedillac is saddled by fellow Welshman Tim Vaughan, and this five-year-old can also show us more than when given a quiet enough Hereford debut, where he finished close enough having never really got into the argument. Peter Muck has a lengthy absence to overcome, having raced just once last year. Nigel Twiston-Davies will have taken no chances on his fitness for this and he has persisted with the six-year-old, so it would be no surprise to see him go well. Major Payne hails from a yard that enjoys plenty of bumper success and is well related in context, so he could emerge as a threat, but we'll take Rhondda Boy to produce the goods.
All To Prove 33-1 (11-7) (cp) hdwy 14; wknd 3 out; pu nxt, in a race won by Special Portrait (11-7) at Bangor-on-dee 3m ptp in May, 12 ran.
Heels Supreme (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Bhd, mstk 1st, fell 5th, in a race won by Whiddy Island (12-0) at Askeaton 3m ire ptp in Jan, 16 ran.
Major Payne (IRE) Deploy gelding out of Rikaba.
Peter Muck 13-2 (11-4) In touch, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon faded, 4th of 8, 27l behind Little Al (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (5) gs in Feb '08.
Quedillac (FR) 4-1 (11-3) In touch, pushed along over 4f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Call Me Mulligan (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gf.
Rhondda Boy 33-1 (10-11) In touch and keen, tracked winner half-way, ridden over 3f out, faded over 1f out, 4th of 12, 11l behind Shacklesborough (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) Bob Back gelding out of Native Sunset.
Totally Beat 12-1 (10-7) 3rd of 7, 10l behind Wantage Road (12-0) at Garthorpe 3m ptp in May.
Meleeha 25-1 (11-7) (tt) bhnd til pu 10, in a race won by Chopra's Choice (11-7) at Trecoed 3m ptp, 9 ran.
Lyndsay's Joy Lahib filly out of Sanshang.
