keen in midfield, headway between horses when ridden approaching 2 out, chased leader last, stayed on strongly to lead close home
prominent, ridden after 7th, lost weakened after 3 out, tailed off from 2 out
led, 4 lengths clear 5th, reduced advantage 7th, ridden and extended lead approaching 2 out, still in front last, headed close home
midfield, short of room on bend before 4th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off 2 out
chased leader, close up 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway into midfield after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out but never dangerous
towards rear, blundered 7th, ridden after 3 out, headway before 2 out, chased leaders last, stayed on
midfield, headway when ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and modest headway after 3 out, outpaced 2 out, no extra
Withdrawn
Stratford form can be unreliable elsewhere but this is probably BLAZING SADDLES’ time of year and he idled in front when scoring last month, ahead of Presuming Ed. Grooveur will be going up more than the 7lb he is penalised for winning over a longer trip at Ludlow and Chez Hans has been knocking on the door over 2m at Taunton. Opine looked ready for a step up in trip when fifth at Southwell and blinkers may further aid his cause today.
Chez Hans (GER) 11-4 (11-4) Mid-division, headway to chase leader 2 out, pressed leader and every chance last, ran on well, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Copperless (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Makety 33-1 (11-10) Led narrowly early stages, headed 4th and tracked leader, hung right approaching 2 out, pushed along and outpaced after 2 out, 7th of 10, 19 1/2l behind Copperless (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Cheng Gong 10-1 (11-12) In touch, reminders 3rd, pushed along and outpaced 6th, struggling 4 out, pulled up next, at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Fanfan La Colmine (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 6th, ridden and lost touch after 3 out, well adrift when awkward 2 out, no extra, 6th of 7, 34 3/4l behind The Widdow Maker (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Folly Gate (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway to track leaders 3 out, pushed along 2 out, soon outpaced and weakened, 5th of 10, 14 3/4l behind Copperless (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Passing Shadow 13-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 3 out, no impression and well beaten from 2 out, lost 5th towards finish, 6th of 15, 32 1/2l behind Bard Of Brittany (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Presuming Ed (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, not fluent on occasions, held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, plugged on one pace from last, 7th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Blazing Saddles (11-8) at Stratford 2m hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Opine (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Hampered start, mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, well held 5th last, 5th of 16, 15 1/2l behind Givepeaceachance (11-9) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Merchant In Milan (IRE) 200-1 (10-13) Towards rear, plugged on from after 2 out, never threatened, 6th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Resolution Bay (11-5) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Blazing Saddles 6-1 (11-8) With leaders, led after 4th, nudged along approaching last, ridden flat, kept on well, won at Stratford 2m hcp (5) gs in Mar beating Isthebaropen (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Grooveur (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, raced keenly, closed after 5th, 5 lengths ahead before 3 out, edged left flat, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar beating Franco D'aunou (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
