led, headed 3rd, lost place 8th, tailed off from 4 out
prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, driven and kept on same pace from last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, one pace from last
held up and brought down 5th
towards rear, headway 8th, outpaced 5 out, rallied to lead 2 out, driven out from last
held up, lost place 7th, tailed off from 4 out
prominent when fell 5th
BLACK BEAUTY is just preferred over Badger and Mizen Raven. The last named has been very consistent since winning at Ludlow in March - finishing second on three occasions. However, he also takes on slightly better opposition and needs everything to go his way. Badger landed the odds in a three horse race at Fakenham earlier this month and arrives here in good heart. He has more on his plate here though. Therefore, it can pay to side with Black Beauty, who has taken kindly to fences and, as Christian Williams knows him well, the gelding is sure to be given plenty of assistance from the saddle.
Badger 4-6fav (10-9) Led, headed 2nd, remained with leader, led again 8th, headed 10th, reminders 12th, led again approaching 14th, clear 2 out, ran on, won at Fakenham 3m nov stks (3) gf beating Pelo Du Bief (10-5) by 17l, 3 ran.
Black Beauty 9-2 (11-0) In touch when mistake 2nd, soon in mid-division, headway approaching 10th, 2nd approaching 4 out, led 2 out, all out, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd beating Pacha D'Oudairies (10-11) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Mizen Raven (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, driven to take 2nd from last, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Osolomio (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov stks (4) gd in Apr.
Ebac (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracking leaders, ridden halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Role On (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov stks (4) gf in Apr, 9 ran.
Evelith Echo 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, driven after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd after last, never dangerous, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Mutual Friend (11-9) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Island Key (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Polar Gale (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Scuzme (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Mistakes in rear, headway and in touch 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 16, well behind Sea Cadet (11-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
