chased leader, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, hard ridden and stayed on gamely flat, just held on
held up towards rear, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led to 4th, hit 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out
always towards rear, weakened 8th
held up in mid-division, headway to go 4th 8th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, hit 2 out, every chance last, hard ridden and ran on well flat, just failed
prominent, chased leaders 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened and blundered last
held up in touch, mistake and lost place 5th, headway 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
prominent, ridden and lost place after 6th, pulled up approaching 2 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up last, ridden after 6th, kept on well to go 3rd flat
In the finale, Closed Shop is selected ahead of Fast Forward and Cruising River. Irish point winner Closed Shop looked an interesting prospect when scoring on his bumper debut and he can set about proving the point today. Also an Irish bumper winner, Private Garcia rates as potentially interesting, while Fast Forward comes here with experience, having shown up in bumpers and over hurdles and has to be given claims. Cruising River came back for the season to a win, and he can go well but, like Fairlight Express, a penalty might just hinder him in terms of winning. Finally, Watch The Dove's handicap win came from a mark of only 94, and much as his stable is in good form, Aubigny needs to improve on what has so far been shown if he is to feature. Once again, then, the selection is Closed Shop.
Cruising River (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Smart Mover (11-10) by 4l, 10 ran.
Fairlight Express (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Held up, behind, good headway after 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Iron Maid (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Watch The Dove 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader, joint leader 4th, shaken up and led after 3 out, ridden clear approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) frm beating Sharaab (11-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Aubigny (FR) 13-2 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, effort under pressure from 7f out, went moderate 3rd over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 13, 20l behind Bermuda Pointe (10-6) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Buy Onling (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 11, 16l behind Maljimar (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Closed Shop (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) In touch, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gs in Mar beating Just Supposin (10-5) by 5l, 15 ran.
Fast Forward (NZ) 5-6fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Mahogany Blaze (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
