held up in 4th, pushed along from 14th, went 3rd approaching 4 out, every chance next, 2nd when stumbled last, one pace
held up in rear, ridden after 14th, no impression, 5th when blundered 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 12th, went 2nd before 4 out, led 2 out, ridden clear flat, ran on well
prominent, led approaching 4 out, headed and mistake 2 out, one pace last
prominent, pushed along in 4th approaching 4 out, beaten when jumped left 3 out
led, ridden after 14th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Brian Ellison's Neptune Equester showed improved form when chasing home General Hardi at Sedgefield last month and has to be considered despite having been raised 5lbs since that run but preference is for DARINA'S BOY, who gets the vote over Dawn Ride. Micky Hammond's gelding won well over course and distance last month and has only gone up 5lbs for that success so he has an obvious chance of following up and rates the main danger to the selection. Lawney Hill's Milesian King is far from certain to stay this far and of more interest may be Charlie Longsdon's Our Hero, who ran well at Bangor last time when narrowly beaten by Wizards Dust and he can race off the same mark today. Harry Hogarth's Shrewd Investor has failed to complete in three of his last four starts and is readily discounted in a race taken to go to Darina's Boy. Sue Smith's gelding has been knocking on the door in recent starts, finding just one too good in his last two outings so would not be winning out of turn and he can give his handler another winner.
Our Hero (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 11th, chased winner from 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from last, always held by winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Wizards Dust (10-8) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Dawn Ride (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led on bit 3 out, shaken up after last, held on well towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr beating Killard Point (11-12) by 3l, 4 ran.
Neptune Equester 4-1fav (10-2) Held up in last trio, headway on outside 17th, chased winner approaching 3 out, upsides and every chance last, hung left flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2l behind General Hardi (10-0) at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 10th, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Omix D'or (10-9) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Apr, 17 ran.
Milesian King (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Led, jumped left and headed 6th, given reminder and soon led again, headed 11th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Majy D'auteuil (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sep, 9 ran.
Darina's Boy 9-2fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 16th, clear approaching 2 out, weakened and headed towards finish, slightly hampered by loose horse, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Tanners Court (11-7) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
