chased leaders, not fluent 12th, headway 17th, went 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner
jumped well, led 1st, edged left 14th, clear from 4 out, stayed on well, easily
led until slow 1st, chased winner, reminder after 6th, lost 2nd when not fluent 4 out, well held 3rd 3 out
NonRunner
MORE BUCK'S has been racing in much better company since completing a double at the end of 2016 and has gradually slipped to a winnable mark. With his rider also able to claim 7lb a chance is taken on a return to form. Bramble Brook's two victories have come in very small fields so he'll be at home here though he's looked a few pounds high recently. Rise Of An Empire, three times a winner over timber in Ireland, was returning from a long break and making his debut for Harry Fry when only fading from two out at Ludlow and will strip much sharper here. Phangio stays extreme distances as he showed when scoring over 3m5f at Warwick. He's up 6lb and could find this ground a bit lively for him.
More Buck's (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 11th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 23 1/4l behind Another Hero (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Bramble Brook 8-1 (11-6) Held up in touch in last pair, steady headway when jumped slowly 11th, pushed along and outpaced 13th, rallied 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, left modest 2nd at the last, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 6, 7 1/4l behind Buster Thomas (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Rise Of An Empire (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Prominent, led after 6th, headed after next, led again 10th, headed 14th, rallied after 2 out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 10, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Phangio (USA) 9-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, driven 18th, challenged last, led flat, stayed on, clear towards finis, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Copperfacejack (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
