not fluent 1st, held up in 4th on inside, jumped slowly 8th, mistake 11th, went 3rd 4 out, switched out after next, 2nd before 2 out, stayed on same pace from last
led, hit 5th, headed 3 out, chased winner until before 2 out, no extra in 3rd
mostly jumped well, went left 1st, tracked leader until 3rd, hit 7th, 2nd again after 9th, led 3 out, came clear before next, hit the last, stayed on strongly
raced wide in 3rd, tracked leader 3rd until after 9th, chased leading pair until 12th, weakened 4 out
Only four runners and two of them are trained by Dan Skelton. Quid Pro Quo took a while to get to grips with chasing but won at Southwell last time under Fergus Gillard, who takes off 3lb again. Gentle Connections is a little less exposed but the pair look vulnerable against a couple of newcomers. BLUE STELLO has won over hurdles and placed in a point in a light career to date. He gets the nod ahead of Young Buster, who arrives with similar credentials but possibly needs further.
Quid Pro Quo (IRE) 10-3fav (11-13) Held up in mid-division, joined leaders going easily before 2 out, soon led, went clear flat, readily, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Cenotice (11-2) by 4l, 8 ran.
Blue Stello (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Soon held up in mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 4th, behind and pulled up before 3 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Young Buster (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Held up towards rear on inside, pecked 3rd, not fluent 6th, switched right after 4 out, not much room before 3 out, closed before 2 out, mistake last, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Imperial Merlin (11-11) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Gentle Connections 15-2 (11-8) Towards rear, last and reminder 9th, mistake 3 out, remote 5th 2 out, 5th of 8, 23l behind Another Crick (11-13) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
