RAVEN BANNER may have finally slipped far enough down the weights to get her head back in front. She was narrowly beaten at Newcastle last month and can go one better with Silvestre De Sousa’s presence taking the eye. Oceanus and Hard Toffee are usually thereabouts at this level on the all-weather but rarely win and despite Ravenhoe scoring over a mile at Lingfield last month, Insomniac and Calm Charm may prove bigger threats with improvement likely form both now handicapping for the first time.
Insomniac (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 11, 24 1/2l behind Intern (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Mar.
Oceanus (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Presence Process (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Calm Charm (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Dwelt, pushed along in 6th over 3f out, plugged on steadily inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Spanish History (9-5) at Windsor 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Oct.
Raven Banner (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Held up, mid-division 6f out, closed over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Weather Front (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Ravenhoe (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, never on terms, last of 12, 11 1/2l behind Street Poet (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Tyrsal (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Belisa (9-5) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Hard Toffee (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Steadied start, held up, headway when hung right over 1f out, never dangerous, last of 8, 6 1/2l behind Shamrokh (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
