prominent, led 4th, soon headed, led 5th, not fluent 6th, not fluent and headed 2 out, weakened flat
led until not fluent 4th, led next, not fluent 6th, weakened before 3 out
held up behind leaders, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, switched right approaching 2 out, led last, edged left flat, stayed on
in rear and ridden along, mistake 3rd, not fluent next, behind 5th, pulled up before 6th
not jump well, held up behind leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, hampered flat, held after, stayed on
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, lost place 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Ikarak will be popular as he boasts a consistent record of wins and places in his native France over fences and hurdles and was beaten less than a length in a two-horse affair over fences by Hell Red on his first start for Milton Harris. Connections have chosen to return to hurdling here and it might be worth taking him on with EVERYONESGAME. He does have to give 7lb to Ikarak and that may prove a bridge too far, but he returned from wind surgery to score with plenty in hand at Hereford last month and is taken to follow up as he looked an improved performer that day. He'll enjoy the ground too. Astigar has a chance but probably needs to improve and Doughmore Bay could be one to note as he still looked to be going quite nicely when falling late on on his sole pointing start.
Everyonesgame (IRE) 4-6fav (11-6) Prominent, disputed lead before 5th, led outright before 7th, extended advantage before 2 out, 7 lengths clear approaching last, pushed out run-in, easily, won at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Apr beating Max's Champ (11-6) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Astigar (FR) 3-1 (12-2) Chased leaders, dropped to rear after 6th, not fluent 3 out, headway to challenge before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go third flat, 3rd of 5, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Doughmore Bay (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Ld/disp, 2l 2nd aftr 4out, ld with sl adv aftr 3out until 1l adv gng well when fell 2out, at Boulta 3m mdn gs in Nov.
Garcon Dargent (IRE) 200-1 (11-7) Rear mid-division, pushed along after 6th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up, at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Ikarak (FR) 7-4 (11-6) Never that fluent, chased winner, jumped slowly and reminder 2nd, not fluent 5th, hit 11th and next, closer 4 out, pushed along and held before next, rallied on inside and almost upsides last, held run-in, last of 2, 3/4l behind Hell Red (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Archie Macdart 10-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, hit 3rd and next, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, went 2nd and stumbled 2 out, weakened and lost places towards finish, 4th of 6, 19 1/4l behind Kansas Du Berlais (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gd in Apr.
Lafilia (GER) 50-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 36l behind Western Safire (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Feb.
