led, headed approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, one pace
towards rear, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, clear approaching 2 out, kept on well
towards rear and pushed along, soon struggling
held up towards rear, unseated rider 5th
held up mid-division, pushed along after 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, one pace
held up mid-division on inner, weakened approaching 4 out
with leader, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear
in touch, ridden and weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, no impression from next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out
This is a cracking and wide-open contest in which we'll take a chance on BUSKER ROYAL ahead of Sir Harry Ormesher, Federstar and Shadow Dancer. Our selection was well backed before falling in a similar race last time but looks fairly treated if putting that incident behind him. He's got the assistance of one of the most talented claimers around and gets in here off a lovely weight, whilst he has shown he's got stamina in reserve and should hopefully be staying on powerfully late on. Sir Harry Ormesher has won two of his last three contests, both of them fiercely competitive, so he must be the one to beat despite a 6lb rise in the weights. In between he ran with credit at Cheltenham and as a course winner who likes good ground Alan King's charge is afforded maximum respect. Federstar remains of interest here but he's up 12lbs and takes a drop in trip so Ollie Greenall's mount can just be opposed for win purposes, along with Shadow Dancer who has a bit to find with Sir Harry Ormesher on Cheltenham running. Arkose would hold each-way claims on the pick of his form in novice hurdles but he may be flattered by his proximity to a couple of decent sorts, whilst Bella Haze is an admirable mare but she relishes a slog and there may be too much of an emphasis on speed here. With Frontier Dancer having stamina to prove and Raslan having been pulled up last time our vote goes to Busker Royal.
Afsoun (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inside, headway after 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 11th of 22, 26l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Sir Harry Ormesher 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led last, driven flat, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr beating Black Jack Blues (10-8) by 3/4l, 22 ran.
Bella Haze 16-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, in touch on outside, chased winner 2 out, ridden and every chance when hit last, soon lost place, one pace flat, 4th of 16, 8l behind Banjaxed Girl (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Raslan 20-1 (11-11) Behind, struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Picture This (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Nampour (FR) 22-1 (11-4) Mid-division, hung left after 2 out, ridden approaching last, no impression, 9th of 21, 13l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-12) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Frontier Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders early, dropped into mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 17l behind Overturn (10-7) at Ayr 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Federstar (GER) 4-1fav (11-6) Held up in touch, stumbled after 9th, 3rd and hanging left before 3, challenged next, soon led, stayed on well to draw clear flat, won at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr beating Its Tough (10-0) by 11l, 12 ran.
Chief Yeoman 40-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 15th of 21, well behind Ringaroses (11-0) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Tobago Bay 12-1 (11-11) Tracked winner, effort 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Alderluck (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Arkose (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leader until 3rd, disputing 2nd from 6th, weakened tamely 3 out, driven into poor 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 44l behind Be There In Five (11-10) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Persian Run (IRE) 15-8 (11-6) Prominent, chased winner 3 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Shadow Dancer (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Held up in 4th, hampered and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Tillietudlem (10-12) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Busker Royal 5-2fav (11-4) Disputing close 5th when stumbled and fell flat after 6th, in a race won by Ameeq (11-4) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Barafundle (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Not jumped well, always behind, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Picture This (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
