chased leaders, 2nd before 2 out, ridden and starting to weaken when hampered and switched right run-in
never travelled or jumped with any fluency, soon well behind, tailed off when blundered 9th, pulled up before next
always prominent, 2nd 11th, not fluent next, went right 13th, hit 3 out, led before next, slight lead when went right last, hung left under pressure run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards
held up in touch, mistake 7th, headway chasing leaders 12th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and lost 3rd before 2 out, rallied and went right last, hung left run-in, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
led, clear after 8th until after next, headed and weakened 11th, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leader 2nd, led 11th until ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before last
last pair, struggling in 5th place 12th, plugged on into modest 4th between last 2
NonRunner
Financial Climate is well treated but doesn’t appear to be the force of old. Riddlestown, on the other hand, could not be in better form and should make a bold bid to complete his five-timer. Like recent winner Bertie Lugg and Snowball, he goes well here while Clubs Are Trumps holds Get Involved on the form book. Basford Ben has been struggling to get his head in front lately but was rallying and only beaten half-a-length at Carlisle last month. We’ll take a chance on VICE ET VERTU as Henry Daly’s gelding enjoys a test of stamina and will get that here. He won under Paddy Brennan in this grade at Ludlow at the end of last year.
Riddlestown (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 4th, challenged on bit 3 out, led 2 out, held on well from last,, won at Towcester 3m hcp (4) gf in May beating Better Days (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Clubs Are Trumps (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 5 out, no impression, 5th of 6, 11l behind Ultimatum Du Roy (11-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Bertie Lugg 7-1 (12-2) Tracked leader and keen, led after 3 out, pressed from next, kept on and edged left from last while in command, won at Towcester 2m 6f hcp (5) gf in May beating Mr Jim (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 9-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, hit 7th, blundered 5 out, tailed off before 4 out, 8th of 10, 23 1/2l behind Mustmeetalady (11-6) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Basford Ben 7-2 (12-3) Made most to 11th, ridden after next, lost place 14th, rallied after last, finished well to take 3rd near finish, just held, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Smuggler's Stash (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Financial Climate (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) In touch until mistake lost place and dropped to rear 3rd, tailed off 11th, slightly hampered next, rallied 3 out, went poor 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Castarnie (11-11) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Snowball (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, mistake 9th, struggling 14th, behind before 4 out, soon pulled up, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Get Involved (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) In touch, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 19l behind Ultimatum Du Roy (11-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
