made all, drew readily clear turning in, in no danger when ridden between last 2, kept on, very easily
raced keenly, tracked winner, ridden and lost place after 3 out, no impression before next, went 3rd last, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, never on terms, weakened from next
held up in touch in rear, headway into 2nd 2 out, kept on, no chance with easy winner
The application of a tongue-tie worked the oracle for PRESENT RANGER, who returned from a lay-off with a victory in maiden company at Market Rasen. He beat a subsequent dual winner on that occasion and Dan Skelton’s charge is taken to defy a penalty in this with more to come from him. Richard Johnson takes over the reins on Finalshot and the latter looked to have plenty left in the locker when unseating a couple of hurdles from home at Doncaster in February. He looks the main threat to the selection with Moans Cross needing to improve and point-to-point winner Peddler finishing tailed off on his earlier hurdling bow.
Present Ranger (IRE) 5-6fav (11-2) Made all, not fluent 4th, pushed clear before 2 out, ridden out flat, ran on, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Apr beating The Butcher Said (11-2) by 5l, 7 ran.
Finalshot 8-1 (11-3) In rear and in touch, headway before 3 out, challenging when hit and unseated rider 2 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Feb.
Moans Cross (USA) 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, led briefly before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Zamperini (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) gd in May.
Peddler (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) A.p; led 13; pushed out, won at Lockinge 3m mdn gd in Apr beating Bespoke Cave (11-10) by 5l, 5 ran.
Somekindofstar (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Raced keenly in 4th place, not fluent 5th, pushed along before next, weakened 4 out, left remote 3rd last, 3rd of 6, dist behind The Butcher Said (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in May.
Master Sam Bellamy 66-1 (11-0) Held up, closed 8f out, outpaced 4f out, kept on final 2f, no chance with winner, 4th of 7, 14 1/4l behind First Lord De Cuet (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 2f (5) gs in Mar.