close up, pushed along 4 out, went 3rd next, ridden and switched right approaching last, effort between horses and every chance flat, no extra towards finish
close up in rear, not fluent 5th, reminders soon after, ridden 4 out, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon beaten
led and jumped well until hit 2 out, headed next, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden 3 out, led last and sprawled on landing, edged left, ridden and ran on
NonRunner
NonRunner
A competitive renewal which sees Monbeg Theatre and Nautical Nitwit, 1-2 in a handicap over track and trip last month, locking horns again. The former only had a neck to spare on that occasion and is a pound better off. Wholestone was joint favourite for this last year but found the mare Colin’s Sister too strong. He did later won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham but that was on heavy going over a shorter trip. Clyne is having a first run over 3m and definitely needs a softer surface while High Secret is probably out of his depth. Keeper Hill went chasing last term but lost his confidence and is best watched here. OLD GUARD has been well beaten in both previous tries over this trip but gets one more chance to show he stays. He had Clyne behind when winning the National Spirit at Fontwell last season and will appreciate the relatively quick surface more than most.
Old Guard 3-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, slow 2nd, guessed at 3rd and pushed along, went 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Verdana Blue (10-7) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
High Secret (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 1st, headed before 2 out, 3rd and one pace before last, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 12 1/2l behind Verdana Blue (10-7) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Keeper Hill (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) In touch on outside, slow and lost place 6th, closed before 11th, not fluent and struggling from 12th, tailed off before 4 out, soon pulled up, at Ayr 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Monbeg Theatre (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Made all, soon clear with one other, joined bypassing omitted 3 out, driven and 1 length advantage last, ridden when hard pressed flat, just held on, all out, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Nautical Nitwit (11-11) by nk, 7 ran.
Nautical Nitwit (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Tracked winner and soon clear of rest, driven to challenge bypassing omitted 3 out, ridden between last 2, 1 length down last, rallied and every chance towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Monbeg Theatre (11-10) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Wholestone (IRE) 6-4jfav (11-6) Tracked leaders, led after 3rd, headed and readily outpaced by winner before 2 out, lost 2nd and mistake 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Call Me Lord (11-0) at Sandown 2m 5f (1) gs in Apr.
Clyne 25-1 (11-7) Chased leader who went clear 2nd, jumped left 7th and 4 out, soon closed on leader, led before 3 out, went clear until after 2 out, headed just before last, 3rd and held flat, kept on, 3rd of 9, 6 3/4l behind L'Ami Serge (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
