chased leaders, pushed along after 9th, ridden after next, led and not fluent 3 out, driven clear flat
chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd before 11th, weakened after 3 out
in rear, jumped slowly 2nd, pushed along when jumped slowly 6th, lost touch after 9th, tailed off
held up, headway 7th, soon pushed along, ridden after 10th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, mistake 5th, not fluent 8th, headway after next, ridden and weakened after 10th, tailed off
raced keenly, led, not fluent 4th, headed and hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
soon not going well, in rear after mistake 2nd, behind 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
held up in rear, jumped left 3rd and 5th, weakened after 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
not fluent and chased leader from 2nd, lost back position before 11th, every chance from 3 out until after 2 out, held when mistake last, weakened flat, just held on until 2nd
Nonrunner
ALL THINGS EQUAL is preferred here to the three course winners Dizzy Future, St Mellion Freeway and Openide. Ian Williams has his horses running well at the moment and a big run is expected from the selection today now granted a stiffer test of stamina. The former point-to-point winner has had his problems over fences but the switch to hurdling should see him in a better light and he should go close. Openide is a strong stayer who has so far failed to get his head in front this season, however Brendan Duke's runner cannot be overlooked along with Smart John and Arctic Echo who both have bits and pieces of form that should make them of interest today. Dizzy Future is another who switches back from chasing; he likes the ground good or quicker and looks sure to get his ideal conditions this afternoon. St Mellion Freeway is probably high enough in the weights now racing off a mark of 114 but this front-running gelding still cannot be underestimated, especially if the market speaks in his favour. Ambrossini wears the cheek-pieces for the first time this afternoon, and the step back up in trip and again, a switch back to hurdling, may bring about some big improvement. At a price Original Thought could run better than expected, however it is All Things Equal who is fancied to bring home the bacon.
Arctic Echo 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, close 3rd 2 out, beaten last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Saphire Night (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
St Mellion Freeway (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led until 4th, tracked leader, led approaching 7th until 3 out, soon out paced, staying on when hit 2 out, went 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Markington (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Ambrosinni 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 4th and in touch when fell 4 out, in a race won by Nile Moon (10-10) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Mylo 50-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, 42l behind Sheshali (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Dizzy Future 5-6fav (11-5) Led to 2nd, prominent, ridden and chased winner approaching 4 out, effort approaching 3 out, no chance from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Pertinent (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
All Things Equal (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Led and set quick pace, headed 4th, weakening when fell 3 out, in a race won by Craiglands (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd, 18 ran.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) In rear, jumped right 3rd, soon pushed along, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 23l behind Giovanna (11-5) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Original Thought (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 7th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Farmers Cross (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Iona Star (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 18, 33l behind Pretty Happy (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
Openide 8-1 (10-8) Chased leader approaching 2nd until after 10th, soon struggling, 5th of 13, 16l behind Giovanna (11-5) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Inching Closer 12-1 (9-10) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden next, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 12, 12l behind Westender (11-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd in May '06.
Smart John 12-1 (11-1) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, outpaced from next, 4th of 13, 22l behind Fortunate Dave (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
