prominent, led 3 out, headed last, weakened flat
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon no impression
with leader until 7th, weakening when bumped 3 out
held up in rear, headway after 7th, led last, soon edged right and headed, driven to regain lead towards finish
mid-division, headway 5th, no impression from 3 out
mid-division, took keen hold, blundered 2nd, headway 6th, not fluent when challenging 2 out, led after last, soon driven, headed towards finish
made most until 6th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 6th, headed 3 out, no extra flat
mid-division on outside, headway after 4th, weakened next
mid-division on inside, not fluent 4th, outpaced and lost place 5th, jumped left 3 out, stayed on flat
held up in rear, headway after 7th, close up 2 out, not fluent last, no extra flat
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden 7th, soon weakened
in touch, lost place 2nd, rallied after 4th, weakened approaching 6th, tailed off
A really good turn out for this modest prize which may be collected by PASCHA BERE who can get the better of Estate and Busker Royal amongst others. Nicky Henderson is also represented by Special Envoy who would be a live contender on his best form but was tailed off last time and Busker Royal may represent his best chance although he should have won more than just the one race over hurdles for one of his ability. Estate has been raised a stone for an easy win at Ludlow but he's not significantly higher in the weights than he was a couple of years back and rates a big danger now that he's recaptured his form. Rajeh is also considered having won a Flat handicap off 83 at the end of last month but preference is for Pascha Bere who is 10lbs higher than when winning a handicap over course and distance last time. He looked an improved performer for a change of tactics and cheekpieces and has the ability to cope with the extra burden which seems perfectly fair given that the second, third and fourth from his latest race all won next time.
Pascha Bere (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Made all, in command last, stayed on well to draw clear after, won at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May beating Cool Touch (11-2) by 6l, 10 ran.
Special Envoy (FR) 18-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 9th, weakened after 4 out, 17th of 21, well behind Ringaroses (11-0) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Raslan 20-1 (11-12) Always behind and pushed along, tailed off approaching 6th, last of 14, well behind Tabaran (10-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Tobago Bay 16-1 (10-10) With leader, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 8l behind Bella Haze (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in May.
Son Of Flicka 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 4th, soon lost place, 9th of 12, 47l behind The Jigsaw Man (11-6) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Tabaran (FR) 9-2fav (10-2) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May beating Humbel Ben (10-3) by 6l, 14 ran.
Rajeh (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) In touch until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Trenchant (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Tritonville Lodge (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) With leader until approaching 2nd, stayed 2nd until before 6th where blundered and weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Nortonthorpe Lad (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May, 11 ran.
Busker Royal 5-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 13, 12l behind Bella Haze (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in May.
Is It Me (USA) 25-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, not fluent 2nd, reminders and in rear from 5th, 7th of 9, 30l behind Tiger O'toole (10-13) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Parlesotho (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway under pressure after 8th, every chance approaching 3 out, jumped left thereafter, weakened last, 4th of 13, 19l behind Valento (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
Valento 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway after 8th, led and hung badly right from 3 out, driven clear flat, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Apr beating Tabaran (11-11) by 7l, 13 ran.
Daurica 25-1 (11-12) Chased leader until 8th, ridden 10th, weakened well before 3 out, 11th of 17, well behind Alderley Rover (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Estate 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led before next, ran on well flat, eased close home, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Key Cutter (11-12) by 6l, 13 ran.
