mid-division, headway after 4th, tracked leader 4 out, led 2 out, edged right approaching last, ridden and hung right when headed flat, no extra
led to 3rd, chased winner, ridden and lost place before 4 out, soon weakened
behind, headway 4 out, ridden and kept on under pressure approaching 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, no impression
tracked leaders, driven and one pace 3 out, no impression before next
chased leaders to 4th, soon behind
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened before next
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, outpaced in 4th after 4 out, ridden to chase leading pair before 2 out, stayed on to lead flat, kept on
behind, mistake 3rd, ridden and struggling 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, weakend into 4th flat
in rear, struggling 4th, tailed off 4 out
towards rear, fell 1st
The consistent Engai probably deserves a change of luck while Staigue Fort has been placed in his last couple of starts and shouldn't be far away again. Neither Quadriller nor Rifle Shot can be left out of calculations and Thunder Sheikh was third back over hurdles at Newton Abbot last time. But we'll be surprised if Flat winner HYPERLINK can't find the necessary improvement to play a significant part in proceedings. The faster ground will help his cause and he would have finished closer at Ludlow last time but for being hampered.
Engai (GER) 7-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 6th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Tinseltown (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Lord Gale (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, lost place 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Taigan (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Orthodox Lad 12-1 (10-8) Tracked winner, bumped 5th, not fluent next, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 10, well behind Lexi's Boy (10-11) at Ascot 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr '12.
Quadriller (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on from last, no extra towards finish, 6th of 15, 3l behind Dormouse (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Rifle Shot (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Runswick Royal (10-13) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Sid 250-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, always in rear, ridden and struggling 4th, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Honour System (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Staigue Fort 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 3rd after 3 out, disputing 2nd from next, no chance with easy winner, just lost out for 2nd, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Honour System (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Thunder Sheik (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leader, jumped slowly 1st, led and hit 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Anay Turge (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Zafaraban (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Hyperlink (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, led and wandered at 1st, headed next and settled 3rd, left 2nd 4th, lost 2nd before 3 out, weakened next, left modest 4th at the last, 4th of 14, 8l behind Rayvin Black (10-9) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Di'philly's Dream 150-1 (10-11) Held up, struggling 5f out, never on terms, 10th of 14, 27l behind Neston Grace (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f mares n h flat (5) gf in Apr.
Force To Spend 16-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, never dangerous, last of 8, 14l behind Stevie Gee (9-6) at Lingfield 6f sell stks (6) pol in Dec '11 (flat).
Share The Dosh 20-1 (10-8) In touch, pushed along halfway, lost touch 6f out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Call The Cops (10-9) at Southwell 2m cond NH flat (6) gs in May.