raced in last pair, closed before 6th, soon pushed along, went 3rd from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra
made virtually all, asserting last, stayed on well, readily
raced keenly, prominent, not fluent 1st, slow next, lost 2nd 4 out, mistake and weakened next
led until 1st, tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd 4 out, held when not fluent last, kept on
raced in last pair, went 4th after 3 out, no impression, well held 2 out
NonRunner
A competitive contest for the time of year featuring four last-time winners. MON FRERE won easily second time up but has never encountered soft ground - either over timber or on the level for Sir Mark Prescott. However. the champion trainer clearly feels he's more than capable of doing so and he's taken to make it back-to-back wins. The Wrekin showed a good attitude to prevail in a decent Ludlow contest this month and looks an obvious threat along with dual winner Bellatrixsa, who handles the ground and receives a healthy age and sex allowance. Pollards Fen, an easy point winner latest, makes his Rules debut but may find the competition too hot.
Mon Frere (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader, awkward 1st, led approaching 2 out, went clear last, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gf in Apr beating Ginistrelli (11-12) by 8l, 4 ran.
The Wrekin (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Led until before 5th, led next, pushed along before 3 out, headed 2 out, edged left and led again flat, stayed on, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in May beating Olympic Conqueror (11-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Pollards Fen (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Led to 3; led 3 out; easy, won at Dingley 3m mdn gd in May beating Everything Now (12-0) by 10l, 10 ran.
Bellatrixsa (IRE) 11-10fav (10-6) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, led before not fluent 3 out, headed narrowly and bumped after 2 out, led again last, stayed on flat, won at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gs in May beating In Our Dreams (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Lady In Hiding (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on outside, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
Mighty Mustang 33-1 (10-0) Raced keenly, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Always Able (11-1) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in May.
Doctor Dotty 300-1 (10-12) Chased winner until before 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 14, 29l behind Galice Macalo (11-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Mar.
Master Malcolm 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, switched right before last and landed a little awkwardly, ridden and one pace in 3rd flat, 3rd of 4, 7 1/4l behind My Bobby Dazzler (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in May.