led, mistake and unseated rider 3rd
held up in touch, in 5th before 4 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, headway before 5 out, in 4th before and mistake 4 out, ridden before last, kept on and no extra last75 yards
towards rear, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, left 3rd from 3rd, went 2nd before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden before last, every chance run-in, held near finish
tracked leader, left in lead 3rd, ridden and pressed when not fluent last, kept on gamely under pressure towards finish
held up mid-division, outpaced after 5 out, ridden before 3 out, kept on and no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd from 3rd, one pace before last
always towards rear
towards rear, weakened before 5 out
Foundation Man won this last year off a 5lb higher mark but recent efforts offer little encouragement of a repeat. Upepito won at Warwick in January and is only 2lb higher, though may have appreciated even softer going. Carrigdhoun could figure if back to his best while Final Assault was placed in Class 2 events at Kelso and Ayr in the spring. VILLAGE VIC (NAP) is best caught fresh so we can put a line through his poor run at Haydock in April. He's only had five runs over fences and this flat track will suit so he's handed the vote.
Kauto Stone (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Prominent, not fluent 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon 4th and well held, weakened, last of 6, 20l behind Sire De Grugy (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Carrigdhoun (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Prominent, led 2nd, headed after 3rd, lost place 11th, not fluent next, behind 13th, pulled up before 15th, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
Final Assault (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) In rear, headway before and mistake 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Puffin Billy (11-8) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Swift Arrow (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, not much room 2nd, headway 8th, soon ridden, mistake and weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Upepito (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Held up in rear but in touch, headway 5 out, every chance 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Cloud Creeper (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Village Vic (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Took keen hold, jumped left, prominent, led before 2nd, headed 5th, lost place 7th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Distime (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Held up, pushed along from 6th, never able to get on terms, weakened before 4 out, last of 5, dist behind Bobcatbilly (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Foundation Man (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Led, clear after 1st until 3rd, headed 5 out, soon ridden and lost 2nd, pushed along in 4th and no impression when hit 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 5, 16 1/4l behind Valleyofmilan (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Bonzo Bing (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced 8th, soon in rear, plugged on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 6, 28 1/2l behind Skylander (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Houndscourt (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, lost place and behind from 6th, soon tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Dystonia's Revenge (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jul.