mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, no extra
pulled hard in rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, soon strongly challenged, held on well
held up towards rear, headway halfway, never on terms
held up, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, hard ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, under pressure over 5f out, weakened over 1f out
It is never easy for runners under a penalty in bumpers but LUSH LIFE created a favourable impression when successful at Kempton on his debut in April that Nicky Henderson's gelding is hard to oppose, especially with the yard in such good form, and he gets the verdict ahead of Lost Glory and Gus Macrae. The last mentioned ran well in both starts in bumpers in Ireland but is probably best watched first time out for Rebecca Curtis. Alan King's Mister Chancer lacks any racecourse experience but the trainer does well with his runners in this grade so the four-year-old has to be respected as does Dunraven Storm first time out for Philip Hobbs. Gary Moore's Commanche Dream ran well on his only start so far at Fontwell and has to be considered along with Jonjo O'Neill's Lost Glory, who looks the pick of the newcomers being by Montjeu. Robert Waley-Cohen's Any The Wiser won with plenty in hand at Uttoxeter last month and he has to be considered under his penalty but preference is for another under a penalty, Lush Life.
Any The Wiser 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, left closer bend after 5f, led over 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Uttoxeter 2m cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Salpierre (10-8) by 9l, 15 ran.
Lush Life (IRE) 10-11fav (10-13) Raced green in touch, nudged along after 3f, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Fidelis (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Commanche Dream 14-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 13, 23l behind Horsford (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Foxfire.
Golden Chieftain (IRE) Tikkanen gelding out of Golden Flower.
Gus Macrae (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Rear of mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden into 6th 1f out, soon stayed on to challenge and dispute, no extra in 2nd close home, 2nd of 24, 1l behind Fionn Tra (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat gd in Apr.
Lost Glory (NZ) Montjeu gelding out of Joie De Vivre.
Mister Chancer (IRE) Craigsteel gelding out of Cluain Chaoin.
Nose First (IRE) Ashkalani gelding out of Bramble Charm.
Scampi Boy (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Loch Lomond.
This Masquerade Parthian Springs gelding out of Rose Rambler.
Wyck Hill (IRE) Pierre gelding out of Willow Rose.
