in touch in mid-division, headway 5th, mistake next, left challenging 4 out, one pace 2 out
held up in rear, headway when hampered 4 out, 3rd 2 out, unable to challenge, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, badly hampered and unseated rider 4 out
in touch in mid-division, closed 6th, left in lead 4 out, edged right and headed last, soon carried left, stayed on same pace
jumped right, led, fell 4 out
tracked leader until brought down 4 out
towards rear, behind when hampered 4 out, not fluent 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway when slightly hampered 4 out, 2nd next, led last, soon edged left, ridden out
held up in rear, headway when hampered 4 out, one pace after 3 out, no extra next
Nonrunner
Curious Carlos beat Gran Maestro three lengths when scoring at Ffos Las and is raised 6lb. Twentytwo's Taken won over a shorter trip at Exeter back in March while the progressive Byron Flyer scored over today’s trip at Market Rasen but has a 12lb hike in the weights to contend with. Unison is up in class after winning at Ludlow though Richard Johnson picks up the ride but a chance is taken on SIR VALENTINO. Tom George’s charge won at Leicester in November, the last time he raced over hurdles, but has won a further three times over fences subsequently including at Market Rasen last month and he gets the vote back over the smaller obstacles.
Sir Valentino (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway 4 out, soon tracked leaders, led before 2 out where not fluent, clear last, pushed out, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May beating Turn Over Sivola (11-1) by 8l, 11 ran.
Curious Carlos 9-4fav (11-11) Waited with in rear, steady headway after 4 out, travelling well tracking leaders when switched left between last two, quickened to lead last, came readily clear run-in, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) gd in May beating Gran Maestro (11-7) by 3l, 7 ran.
Dormello Mo (FR) 11-1 (11-9) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 13, 23 1/2l behind Minella Present (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Kashmir Peak (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Close up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Play Nicely (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Twentytwo's Taken (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led and set steady pace, stayed on gamely run-in, ridden out, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Catchin Time (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Gran Maestro (USA) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after 4 out, led next, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied into 2nd again final 100 yards but never going pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Curious Carlos (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Ascendant 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 26l behind King Muro (10-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Byron Flyer 7-4fav (11-3) In touch chasing group, headway to track front pair 3 out, went 2nd before next, upsides last, led and edged right flat, soon clear, driven out, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May beating Midnight Shot (11-8) by 10l, 8 ran.
Unison (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway after 6th, led 3 out, clear last, stayed on, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in May beating Cape Caster (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Raven's Tower (USA) 9-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 7th, pulled up after 2 out, at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in May.
