held up, headway 3 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out,
mid-division, effort after 8th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up, effort 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, led 4th to 6th, led again after 8th to approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, hit 4th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and hit last, stayed on gamely
held up, headway 4th, ridden and every chance from 2 out, not quicken towards finish
behind, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be After Eight , Mr Boo and What A Vintage and the vote is given to After Eight. The selection won well when last seen when beating Glacial Evening over course and distance and if he is fit after an abscence he will be hard to beat as he still has scope for improvement and looks on a lenient mark. Mr Boo rates the main danger as he had every chance untill falling two out in a race won by harris Bay last time, if he puts in a clear round he will not be far away off the same mark here. What A Vintage is another that could go well on his best form but he often finds less than expected off the bridle and with this in mind he is taken on. Secured is another from a yard in form but may just need the run after a 224 day absence. Of the remainder Bring Me Sunshine looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we are happy to return to After Eight.
Heir To Be 8-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon lost place and beaten, 9th of 11, 31l behind Mughas (11-5) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
After Eight (GER) 9-4fav (11-7) In touch, headway when hit 6th, tracked leader from next, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft beating Glacial Evening (11-7) by 8l, 8 ran.
Secured (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, challenged after 4 out, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 32l behind Lyes Green (11-8) at Ludlow 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Moorlands Again 25-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders until weakened 14th, 12th of 17, 37l behind Sweet Diversion (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up and keen, mistake 7th, effort and hit 8th, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 29l behind Brankley Boy (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Mr Boo (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up, steady headway from 6th, poised to challenge leader when hampered and fell 2 out in race won by Harris Bay (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
What A Vintage (IRE) 7-1jt-fav (10-10) Held up mid-division, ridden 6th, steady headway next, weakened 3 out, 6th of 17, 21l behind Jockser (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Tanning 25-1 (10-9) Led 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Fountain Crumble (10-10) at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
