chased leaders, driven along 13th, weakened 15th, jumped right 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 6th to 10th, weakened 4 out
led to 6th, reminder after 7th, lost place approaching 11th, behind from next, pulled up before 13th
prominent to approaching 3rd, driven along after 10th, tailed off from 12th
held up in touch, joined leaders 8th, taken wide on bend approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra flat
held up, headway 13th, ridden to go 3rd when hit 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
took keen hold, headway after 4th, mistake 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up, reminder after 3rd, headway after next, switched left to inside and led 10th, headed approaching 3 out, regained lead 2 out, coaxed home
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
From a shortlist containing Elvis Returns, Around Before and Elenas River, we will side with Elvis Returns. Elvis Returrns comes here at the top of his game, having won his last two. Despite a rise of ten pounds for the most recent of them, he still has to be considered. Around Before has 12 lengths to find with him based on soft-ground Stratford form in May, although he is eleven pounds better off today and was entitled to have needed the run on that occasion. Elenas River could be well weighted based on a narrow Wincanton win and today's conditions should suit so he has to be seriously considered. Gumley Gale is decent enough at this level on his day, and he has gone well here in the past, but the jury is out for the moment maybe on the likes of Sento and Dancer Life, but Native Ivy races from the mark he won from at Sandown in November, so cannot be ruled out on that basis. With Whitford Don and Cruising River having some question marks than otherwise against them, and with it being hard to know what to fully make of Omni Cosmo Touch's heavy ground win at Wetherby last time, we return to the selection, Elvis Returns.
Whitford Don (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Mulish in last, reluctant to pass paddock exit after 9th, short-lived effort 11th, wanted to pull up before 2 out, 5th of 8, 36l behind Jockser (11-1) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in May.
Cruising River (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 13th, 11th of 17, 37l behind Sweet Diversion (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Gumley Gale 16-1 (11-9) Chased leader from 2nd, upsides when bumped and fell at the 12th in race won by Elvis Returns (10-13) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in May, 10 ran.
Elenas River (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 14th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, driven out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in May beating Beau Supreme (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Around Before (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 16th, went 3rd 18th, no impression from 3 out, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Elvis Returns (10-13) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in May.
Omni Cosmo Touch (USA) 15-8 (11-12) Held up, headway to lead 11th, drew clear approaching 3 out, unextended, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in May beating Why The Big Paws (11-6) by a distance, 3 ran.
Elvis Returns 7-2fav (10-13) In touch, slightly hampered 12th, challenged from 17th, ridden to lead 3 out, drew clear approaching 2 out, won at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in May beating Mr Dow Jones (10-0) by 9l, 10 ran.
Dancer Life (POL) 10-3jt-fav (11-4) Towards rear, mistake 12th, behind from 14th, 4th of 8, 23l behind Zaffamore (10-6) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
