mid-division, headway 8th, ridden behind leaders approaching 2 out, left 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat
pulled early and held up, headway 7th, chased leader approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance when fell 2 out
held up, pecked 1st, not fluent 5th, weakened after 7th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out, left distant 3rd 2 out
This does not look the strongest of contests with little to recommend four of the seven runners and it should lie between the other three participants with Georgian King getting the vote ahead of Fairoak Lad and Petito. The last mentioned was nothing out of the ordinary on the level but has shown better form since being put over hurdles, latterly when a close second behind Brenin Cwmtudu over course and distance and he has to be respected. The Philip Hobbs-trained Fairoak Lad disappointed on his second start over hurdles at Newbury but showed promise on his debut and was good value for his success over 2m4f here last time. He may improve for the step up in trip but is not certain to stay and preference is for Alan King's Georgian King, who had decent form in bumpers and showed that he stays this far when successful at Exeter last time.
Fairoak Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out and hung left, led approaching last, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Nom de Guerre (11-1) by 6l, 11 ran.
Georgian King 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, took narrow advantage 2 out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Strong Coffee (11-1) by 11l, 14 ran.
Petito (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway next, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Brenin Cwmtudu (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Supreme de Paille (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 20l behind Gold Award (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gd in Feb.
Whitegates Ronnie 100-1 (10-8) Held up, struggling when blundered 6th, weakend quickly and pulled up 5 out in race won by Herecomesthetruth (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 6 ran.
Play With Fire 20-1 (11-0) Jumped right and bumped 1st, weakened 5th, 8th of 12, 48l behind Celtic Heather (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (5) gs in Apr.
Glanworth (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened after 8th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Brenin Cwmtudu (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
