NAYATI climbed the weights after winning on his reappearance last season but won again off this mark at Musselburgh later and is partnered by the yard’s 7lb claimer today. Brian Hughes is on stablemate Rock Hurley but he still has plenty to prove. Soft going suits Casa Loupi while Matchless has run several times on the Flat since second at Kelso in May. The Churchill Lad is still unexposed in handicaps but the market should give us a few clues about him and also Ilanz and Rath Gaul Hill.
Nayati (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Chased leaders on outer, lost ground when pushed along after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, soon lost touch with leaders, weakened, 6th of 13, 14 1/2l behind Aggagio (10-4) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Casa Loupi 17-2 (9-9) Led 1f, tracked leaders, stayed far side 4f out, led 3f out, soon edged right to centre group, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Blue Hawaii (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (6) sft in May.
Matchless (IRE) 10-3 (10-2) Led early, headed after 2f, remained prominent, pushed along 3f out, gradually weakened, 4th of 7, 15 1/2l behind Flash Bardot (9-3) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Rock Hurley (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 2 out, soon beaten, 10th of 11, dist behind Bingoo (12-0) at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Apr.
The Churchill Lad (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace from next, 5th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Cianciana (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Ilanz (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, disputing 2nd when not fluent last, no impression on winner, 3rd of 11, 8 3/4l behind Ballybegg (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Rath Gaul Hill (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Edgy,close 4th on inside, went 3rd before 3rd, plugged on same pace from 2 out, weakened badly and lost two places run-in, 5th of 8, dist behind Authorised Speed (11-12) at Sandown 2m (4) sft in Mar.
