tracked leaders, went 3rd from 6th, chased winner 5 out, driven 2 out, 2 lengths down last, soon ridden, stayed on and every chance flat, held near finish
chased leaders to 7th, behind from 10th, no danger after
took keen hold, led to 1st, tracked leader, led again 7th, clear when hit next, reduced advantage 5 out, driven 2 out, 2 lengths clear last, ridden and stayed on when hard pressed flat
held up in rear, hampered 3rd, headway 5 out, chased clear pair next, kept on same pace, never on terms, lost moderate 3rd near finish
chased leaders to before 8th, soon behind, no danger after
held up behind, outpaced 5 out, went modest 4th 3 out, stayed on to take moderate 3rd near finish, no chance with front pair
led 1st, jumped right from 4th, headed 7th, chased clear leader (winner), lost place 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up behind when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
OPERA OG, who finished second a year ago, repeated last year's victory at York and Ainsty ten days ago and arrives in good heart for Sean Murray. He can get the better of the former Irish-trained Klepht, who has been involved in much better races than this under Rules and made a successful debut for new connections at Musselburgh in February but was beaten a long way when attempting a double at Southwell last month. Young Hurricane was narrowly beaten by Knocklong at Bedale but a recent crushing fall at the York and Ainsty won't have done his confidence much good but Decade Player arrives in winning form and could sneak into a place.
Klepht (IRE) 7-4 (12-2) Led from 2nd, headed before 7 out, led again 7 out, headed 4 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 22l behind Night Alliance (12-2) at Southwell 2m 4f (6) sft in Apr.
Billy Cuckoo (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) (bl) led to 4; wknd app 2 out, 3rd of 6, 20l behind L'Eldorado (12-5) at Garthorpe 3m gd in Apr.
Decade Player (IRE) 9-2 (12-7) (h) led 3; r.o wl, won at High Easter 2m 4f gd in Apr beating Master Workman (12-7) by 3l, 10 ran.
Opera Og (IRE) 4-7fav (12-0) Hdwy 11; led 2 out; comf, won at Easingwold 3m gd in Apr beating Plenty Of Chat (12-0) by 7l, 4 ran.
Prince Of Silver 3-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 12; pu 14, at Tranwell 3m mdn gs in Apr.
Shabach (IRE) 16-1 (12-5) (cp) (tt) in tch to 14, 8th of 16, 32 1/4l behind Pertemps Networks (12-5) at Easingwold 3m gd in Apr.
Spock (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Led, headed before 4 out, kept on from 3 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 23l behind Ballytober (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) gd in Apr.
Young Hurricane (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Hdwy 7; led 13 til fell 2 out, at Easingwold 3m gd in Apr.
