held up in touch, ridden to challenge last, led towards finish
pulled hard, soon in touch, hampered 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, eased flat, dismounted after finish
held up in rear, headway after 6th, ridden 8th, weakened next, tailed off
prominent, took keen hold, went 2nd 4th mistake 8th, weakened, pulled up lame before 3 out
soon steadied towards rear, effort 7th, ridden after 8th, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 2 out, 3rd mistake last, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway on inside 8th, soon went 2nd led 2 out, headed towards finish
led to 2nd, chased leader to 4th, pushed along after 9th, ridden after 3 out, switched left after 2 out, weakened last
Cullahill can win this at the expense of Smart John and Delayed Approach. The selection broke his maiden tag at Hereford before losing nothing in defeat when third to Cava Bien at Exeter. This looks an easier task as he only has a penalty to carry and the standard of the race looks poor so he is worth siding with once again. Smart John will pose as the biggest danger having shown a decent level of ability this spring. He finished second twice before winning a poor looking maiden at Wetherby last time out and warrants respect here even with a penalty. Delayed Approach has changed stables since last seen at Haydock. Tim Vaughn has his string in fine fettle this summer so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Cullahill.
Cullahill (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Cava Bien (10-6) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Smart John Evensfav (10-9) Held up, headway 5th, chased leaders approaching 3f out, led last, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 7f mdn hdl gd in Apr beating Rimsky Korsakov (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Kanisorn (SWE) 10-11fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, with leader over 4f out, driven over 2f out, rallied to go 2nd entering final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Key Partners (8-6) at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs in Apr (Flat).
Laugherne Bank (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) A bhnd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Minsgill Mans (12-7) at Cold Harbour 4m ptp gs, 10 ran.
River Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Not fluent 2nd, always behind, tailed off from 6th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Different Class (11-10) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug '06, 7 ran.
The Silent King (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, struggling 8th, behind when blundered 3 out and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Earcomesthedream (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf, 8 ran.
The Snail Namaqualand gelding, half-brother to 7f winner Legal Dram.
Delayed Approach (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, stayed on inside final 3f, never nearer, 4th of 18, 22l behind Cloudy Times (10-11) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Woodlands Gem (IRE) 28-1 (10-8) Led to 4th, ridden after 7th, weakened next, tailed off 9th, 7th of 11, well behind The Sliotar (11-8) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Lucy's Turn (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Bumped 1st, mid-division, reminders 4th, some progress next, weakened 4 out, 11th of 12, well behind Celtic Heather (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (5) gs in Apr.
