led 2f, with leader, led 8f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pushed along over 6f out, always towards rear
mid-division but in touch, headway 8f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out
always prominent, took keen hold, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway after 5f, weakened 6f out
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, always towards rear
mid-division but in touch, headway 5f out, led 2f out, ran green, clear final furlong, ran on well
took keen hold, with leader, led after 2f, headed 8f out, still every chance 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, steady headway from 6f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, pushed along 7f out, weakened over 3f out
took keen hold, soon prominent, outpaced 5f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, took keen hold, dropped rear 7f out
Major Rumble is our pick in the finale with Minellity and Swing Rhythm put up as alternatives. The market really should tell us all we need to know so in the absence of it we plump with the Alan King trained Major Rumble. Robert Thornton is likely to have had the choice of the King pair and it appears significant that the handler elected to put him away after a no-show at Fontwell on soft. Minellity is from a family that includes top chaser, Azertyuiop. Nicky Henderson's charges are often overbet in races of this nature so a note of caution is advised. Swing Rhythm cost buttons at the sales. He is definitely bred on flat lines and from an unfashionable yard, he might be sent off at a fair price. Frontier Dancer is a full brother to Sizing Australia. It would be no surprise to see him needing further than this to be at his best. Lets Cast Again was entitled to need his first run after almost three years off and can be anticipated to do better this time. The impeccably bred Choctaw Nation is a cast-off from the Juddmonte Farms operation. The market will probably indicate what is anticipated. The Panama Kid looked in need of the experience first time out and similar comments apply. Major Rumble gets the call.
Lets Cast Again 20-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in touch, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 10l behind Duke of Burgundy (11-11) at Southwell 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Madness (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Always in rear, 8th of 11, 17l behind Its Tough (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Major Rumble 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, no impression, 8th of 16, 34l behind Aboukir Bay (10-7) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Millbill Moss 10-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, chased leaders before halfway, lost place over 5f out, 7th of 12, well behind Vivona Hill (10-9) at Wetherby 2m nhf gd in Apr.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway over 3f out, not much room over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 15, 7l behind Arturo Uno (11-2) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Swing Rhythm Tomba gelding out of a moderate racemare.
West End Final 50-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden and weakened 4f out, 8th of 15, 25l behind Vacario (10-9) at Hereford 1m 5f nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Westwire Toby (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Always behind, 8th of 10, 20l behind Cape Tribulation (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Choctaw Nation Sadler's Wells colt, half-brother to 1m1f-1m4f winner Kocab.
Frontier Dancer (IRE) New Frontier gelding, brother to winning hurdler Sizing Australia.
Johny Scruff (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Robo's Sister.
Minellity (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of an unraced mare.
Storming Bathwick (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Went badly left start, always behind, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Springfield Raki (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd.
The Panama Kid (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 11l behind Lie Forrit (10-2) at Carlisle 1m 6f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Dawn Street 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 9f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Dont Tell The Wife (10-9) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Mar.
Tara Slane 66-1 (10-7) Soon tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Regal Angel (10-5) at Hereford 1m 5f nhf (6) gd in Jun.
