jumped right on occasion, led, reached for 5th, headed after 3 out, ridden approaching next, no extra before last
prominent, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, went second 2 out, kept on but no match for winner
midfield, took closer order when slow 3 out, soon pushed along, plugged on one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, headway to go second 5th, led after 3 out, went clear approaching 2 out, in control when blundered last, ran on well flat
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, pushed along 3 out, soon struggling
raced keenly, prominent, jumped right and lost place 4th, weakened quickly before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
midfield, pushed along 3 out, made no impression
held up in rear, mistake 1st, nudged along before 4th, pushed along before 2 out, never in contention
Sofia's Rock was allowed an easy lead at Ludlow and never looked like being pegged back. He has a penalty in this, though his rider’s claim negates that. ELHAM VALLEY also likes to race up with the pace and has twice run well around here this year. Fergal O’Brien’s five-year-old can’t get much lower in the weights and the drop back to 2m will suit this keen-going sort. Smith's Bay came up against a well-treated rival when second here in March and John Betjeman won by 10 lengths at Ffos Las in the same month and is only 5lb higher.
Sofia's Rock (FR) 13-8fav (11-7) Made all, 6 lengths clear halfway, going well when much reduced advantage approaching 3 out, shaken up and went clear from 2 out, edged left final 150yds when well clear, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in May beating Coolnaugh Haze (11-4) by 9l, 7 ran.
John Betjeman 20-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Estrela Star (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Sorbet 5-1 (12-0) Handy, lost ground after 4th, pushed along after 5th, soon well behind and pulled up before last, at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Elham Valley (FR) 17-2 (11-2) Raced freely, led, mistake 3 out, headed before last, edged left and lost 2nd flat, no extra, 4th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Ashoka (11-2) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
The Trampolinist (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) In rear, ridden 3 out, headway at last, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Whistleinthedark (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Smith's Bay 18-1 (11-3) Jumped right at times, led, clear after 2nd, went further clear after next, reduced lead 3 out, went right and strongly pressed 2 out, joined when went right and hit last, headed and not pace of winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Head Law (11-7) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Long Call 25-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, well beaten from 4 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Nye Bevan (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Secret Secret (IRE) 13-2 (11-13) Prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, mistake and weakened 6th, well held when not fluent 3 out, 11th of 13, 21l behind Red Maple (11-1) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
