behind, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, driven and outpaced next, no impression
tracked leaders, headway on inside 4 out, driven to lead 2 out, ridden and kept on flat
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leader to 7th, hit next, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway on outside 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, weakened from 2 out
held up, hit 6th, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, switch left to challenge, ridden and no extra flat
mid-division, lost place 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, disputed lead 8th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
always behind
led and clear to 5th, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened next, no chance when mistake last
Everything here points to last year's Order of Merit winner Inglis Drever, who can claim another good prize at the main expense of Crystal D'Ainay, Carlys Quest and Brewster. We have to bear in mind that, with the exception of Tees Components, none of these has been seen on a racecourse for some time, so there may be some fitness doubts to ponder. But Inglis Drever is simply the best horse in the race, he stays very well, is at his best with cut in the ground, and at these weights he is the clear pick. He has also gone well when fresh to further enhance his credentials. Crystal D'Ainay is best of the rest. Alan King's gelding was beaten in this race last year by Telemoss, when the yard's runners were not at their best. The have had a few winners of late, which bodes well, and Crystal D'Ainay is 8lb better off with Telemoss, so he should reverse the form. Of the remainder, Brewster improved plenty last season over staying trips and acts on soft, but is not favoured by the weights, while Carlys Quest could well be a more serious contender, with Ferdy Murphy saying plenty of good things about her, and conditions to suit. It looks a cracking contest, but it will take something a bit special to beat our selection Inglis Drever.
Carlys Quest 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear, slight mistake 8th, headway after 5 out, led after 3 out, clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Punchestown 3m hdl Grd 1 sft in Apr beating Kadoun (11-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, reminder 5th, took closer order after 11th, outpaced and lost place after 15th, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Grey Abbey (11-12) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Inglis Drever 9-4 (11-7) Led at very slow pace, quickened approaching 3rd, quickened again approaching 6th, headed final 100 yards, ran on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Al Eile (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Apr.
Telemoss (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 16l behind Ladalko (11-3) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gd in Apr.
Brewster (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Asian Maze (10-11) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Apr.
Rambling Minster 16-1 (10-13) Held up, hampered 1st, headway approaching last, stayed on flat, no chance, 10th of 22, 9l behind Oulart (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar.
Redemption 25-1 (11-8) Behind most of way, 12th of 22, 35l behind Liberthine (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Sh Boom 22-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place after 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Tees Components 1-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, clear approaching 7th, canter, won at Kelso 2m 6f int hdl (E) gd in May '03 beating Eyze (11-0) by 25l, 7 ran.
Tribal Venture (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, mistake 2nd, outpaced when hit 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, well behind My Will (11-2) at Perth 3m nov chs (B) sft in Apr.
Yogi (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Always behind, trailing from 7th, completely tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Carlys Quest (11-12) at Punchestown 3m hdl Grd 1 sft in Apr, 9 ran.
