held up in touch, lost place from 7 out, tailed off and pulled up
tracked leader, led 5th, headed 9th, clear before 2 out
close up and keen, led 9th, headed 12th, every chance 4 out, kept on same pace from 3 out
led to 5th, weakened before 5 out
held up in rear, mistakes throughout, reminders and struggling halfway, soon tailed off and pulled up
held up towards rear, weakened before 7 out, soon pulled up
Rose Loxton doesn't make things easy for punters by fielding two with excellent claims. Earth Leader has landed his last six starts - four between the flags and two in hunter chases - and is clearly open to further improvement at the age of seven. His admirably consistent stablemate, VIRAK, has stronger form in the book though and is a tough nut to crack in these contests. He scored comfortably in a point recently and is tentatively preferred. Mustmeetalady cannot be discounted against the aforementioned pair after a solid effort in a similar contest at Taunton this month and Kelvingrove looks best of the Leyshon pair.
Sam Red (FR) 6-1 (12-2) Chased front pair virtually throughout, mistake 7th, reminders and outpaced after 5 out, never able to get on terms, weakened 2 out, last of 3, 30l behind Southfield Vic (12-2) at Fontwell 3m 4f (6) gf in May.
Virak (FR) 4-5fav (11-0) A.p; led bet last 2; r.o wl, won at Larkhill 3m gs in Jan beating Southfield Theatre (11-3) by 1l, 8 ran.
Earth Leader (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) (h) (tt) (5a) a.p; lft 2nd 3 out; led aft nxt; held on wl, won at Larkhill 3m gd in Dec beating Big Casino (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Mustmeetalady (IRE) 20-1 (12-2) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, kept on from last, just held for 2nd place close home, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Wishing And Hoping (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f (6) sft in Jan.
Kelvingrove (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, disputed lead after 10th, led narrowly 4 out to next, ridden and readily outpaced by easy winner after 2 out, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Monsieur Gibraltar (12-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f (6) gf in May.
Little Billy Boy 3-1 (12-0) A.p; led 10; r.o wl, won at Badbury Rings 3m gf in Feb beating Gingili (12-7) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.