chased winner until before 10th, weakened quickly, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders out wide, 3rd going well 10th, went 2nd on long run before 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, headed last, ridden and held run-in
waited with in rear, awkward at 4th, jumped slowly and pushed along after 7th, driven along in poor 5th on long run before 4 out, left remote 4th next, went modest 3rd towards finish
raced keenly, held up in last pair on inside, closer in 4th after 10th, disputing 3rd 4 out, fell heavily next
led, narrowly headed 2 out, led again and awkward last, driven and stayed on gamely run-in
raced in close 3rd, went 2nd before 10th until driven along on long run before 4 out, chased leading pair until 4 out, left modest 3rd next, weakened into 4th towards finish
Vivas hasn’t won for a very long time but has placed the last twice at Ludlow and collateral form gives him every chance against Via Dolorosa, who keeps finding one too good. Vision Des Flos is not really proven over this sort of trip but Soldier Of Love is a thorough stayer, though has been plying his trade in hunter chases lately. TOPOFTHECOTSWOLDS may well have won at Fakenham last month had he not fallen three out. He races off the same mark here and can gain compensation as Richie McLernon hasn’t had the best of luck when partnering Quartz Du Rheu in the past.
Via Dolorosa (FR) 2-1fav (12-0) Chased leader, went 2nd 4 out, pressed leader 2 out, ridden to lead last, headed approaching run-in, no extra, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Jerrysback (11-7) at Cartmel 3m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Soldier Of Love 5-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 9th, not fluent 13th, went 2nd before 14th, pushed along 15th, led after 4 out, hung left before 3 out, mistake 2 out, clear last, stayed on, won at Fontwell 3m 2f (6) gd in May beating West Approach (12-4) by 6l, 3 ran.
Quartz Du Rheu (FR) 17-2 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along after 5 out, jumped left and not fluent 3 out, soon well held, 5th of 7, 21l behind Musical Slave (11-2) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Led, headed approaching 4 out, pushed along and outpaced home turn, left in distant 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 18 1/2l behind Light N Strike (11-11) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Close up, led 8th, 2 lengths clear when fell 3 out, at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Vivas (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, driven after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 7 1/2l behind Mr Mafia (12-0) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
