disputing 2nd until badly hampered by loose horse 4th, chased leaders, rallied into 3rd 4 out, driven after 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
tended to jump right, made all, in command next, ridden clear before last, driven out, unchallenged
not fluent 1st, always in rear, driven and beaten after 4 out, tailed off when blundered 2 out and pulled up
took keen hold tracking leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, no chance with leading trio, blundered last
mostly chased winner, effort 3 out, driven and no impression next
chased leaders and keen, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, soon struggling, mistake 2 out
behind, blundered 1st, went right and unseated rider next
Berea Venture doesn't look very straightforward but was close up when blundering and unseating his rider at the second-last in a handicap over 3m at Chepstow last time. Winning pointer Set List has shown some ability under Rules but hasn't raced since November and we fancy Lizzie Kelly's claim to be a decisive factor in this on board DIRE STRAITS. Neil King's gelding found the anticipated improvement when stepped up in trip at Plumpton last time and can defy his penalty.
Dire Straits (IRE) 5-2 (10-0) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, not fluent 4 out, led after next, hard ridden after last, ran on well, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating Thats My Rabbit (10-13) by 1l, 2 ran.
Berea Venture (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Led and keen, ran very wide and headed after 5th, soon lost place, headway before 6th, a close 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Ballyknock Lad (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Bien Faire (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, hung left on bend and reminders after 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off 6th, pulled up next, in a race won by Vayland (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Flashyfrank 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, well beaten final 2f, 9th of 14, 31l behind Wishing And Hoping (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gd in Dec.
Set List (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until 2nd, lost place 4th, well beaten before 3 out, blundered 2 out, 9th of 16, 46l behind Jollyallan (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Sir Bentley 25-1 (11-2) Always behind, pushed along and struggling 5f out, never on terms, 9th of 10, 48l behind Desertmore Hill (10-13) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Double Court (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, driven to chase leaders over 3f out, never on terms, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 25l behind Premier Bond (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs in Apr.
Steuben (GER) 25-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, tracking leading trio, pushed along before 7th, weakened 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Lessons In Milan (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
