mid-division, steady headway approaching 13th (water), chased leaders 15th, pushed along before 4 out, no extra before 2 out
chased leaders, weakened 17th, pulled up approaching 2 out
chased leaders until outpaced and dropped towards rear approaching 13th (water), blundered 16th, rallied next, went 2nd under pressure 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish
prominent, pushed along after 13th (water), ridden and weakened after 16th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on outside 12th, went 2nd 16th, ridden when blundered and lost 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
always prominent, driven along in 4th before 3 out, stayed on same pace
took keen hold early and jumped poorly in rear, mistake 3rd, blundered 12th and 17th, never a factor
mid-division, mistake 6th, headway tracking leaders 10th, hit 14th, weakened 16th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, blundered and struggling 16th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 15th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, pulled up soon after
chased leaders, led 8th, driven before last, headed towards finish
led until 8th, chased leaders, lost place before 14th, tailed off
Nonrunner
Alfie Spinner has been placed in the last two renewals and is not easily dismissed off his current mark. Jockey bookings suggest The Ould Lad is preferred on his reappearance to stablemate and last year's fourth Benvolio while Listed handicap winner Carole's Destrier also has a shout on his return to action. Doing Fine beat the latter at Ffos Las last year but found Drop Out Joe too good at Chepstow last month and Charlie Longsdon's charge has been raised 10lb for that success. Forgotten Gold also has a hike in the weights to contend with having scored over a slightly shorter trip here but Paddy Brennan's presence on stablemate A GOOD SKIN suggests the latter is expected to improve on a recent fifth at Cheltenham and the six-year-old gets the nod. Wilton Milan and Theatrical Star can also be given a chance in a wide-open renewal.
Carole's Destrier 4-1fav (11-4) With leaders, led narrowly 3rd to 5th, tracked leaders, switched outside before 12th, outpaced 4 out, modest 4th next, no chance with leaders after, weakened before last, 5th of 9, dist behind Saphir Du Rheu (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
Benvolio (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, blundered 3rd, led after 4th, headed 10th, weakened before 5 out, tailed off, pulled up, at Haydock 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Drop Out Joe 5-1fav (10-9) Pressed leader, led 10th, clear 4 out until flat, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Buachaill Alainn (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Theatrical Star 10-1 (10-11) With leader, lost place from 13th, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Whats Happening (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
A Good Skin (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway after 4 out, blundered 2 out, no extra, 5th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Shantou Flyer (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct.
Forgotten Gold (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Chased leader, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Handy Andy (11-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Bertie Boru (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Towards rear and mistakes, hampered 8th, soon hampered again by loose horse, well beaten before 3 out, 7th of 16, dist behind Goonyella (11-1) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Doing Fine (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, soon lost place, headway before 5 out, mistake 3 out, 3rd from next, kept on same pace final 100 yards, 3rd of 13, 4 3/4l behind Drop Out Joe (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Wilton Milan (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) In rear, headway before 5 out, ridden in 3rd before last, kept on, 3rd of 9, 7 1/4l behind Astracad (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
The Ould Lad (IRE) 5-1fav (10-12) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along and lost place after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 11th, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Royal Palladium (FR) 100-1 (11-6) In touch in mid-division, lost place 10th, mistake when struggling 13th, ridden after 16th, no impression when mistake and unseated rider 2 out (usual 3 out), at Cheltenham 4m lst (1) gs in Mar.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 3-1fav (10-5) Tracked leader, pushed along before 5 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 9, 15l behind Danimix (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Monkerty Tunkerty 8-1 (11-6) Prominent on outside, went left 2nd, lost place next, dropped to rear approaching 7th, rallied 12th, chased leaders 15th, chased winner next, led before 3 out, 3 lengths ahead when slowed into last and headed, rallied but not time to recover, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Grove Pride (10-9) at Taunton 3m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
