tracked leading pair, reached for 2nd, not fluent 4th, dropped to 4th at 6th, went 3rd again on outside 2 out, keeping on same pace under pressure when switched right before last, blundered last, kept on same pace flat
mistake 1st, held up in rear, good headway 9th, went 3rd before 3 out until 2 out, driven and keeping on same pace in 4th when switched left before last, weakened flat
held up in last trio, mistake 7th, pushed along and struggling in rear after, headway 3 out, weakened next
pressed leader, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 5th, mistake 8th and next, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off, blundered last
held up in last trio, headway to track leading pair 6th, went 2nd 4 out, hit 3 out, driven after 2 out, led last edged left and pressed flat, held on
chased leading pair until 6th, outpaced and lost place 9th, brief rally before 2 out, plugged on to 4th flat
led, clear 8th, narrowly headed last, rallied and every chance flat, just held
Drumshambo could hardly have returned in better shape, landing a Listed contest over this course and distance three weeks ago, though he's gone up 9lb as a consequence. Runner-up Lancetto is 5lb better off which should get him closer but King Edmund, who weakened quickly from two out, looks held. Kie made all at Perth in April though this is tougher from 6lb higher. SAVED BY JOHN reappeared with a fine run at Aintree where he led for all of that 2m4f trip barring the last few yards. This shorter trip looks ideal and he can gain compensation. Viva Colonia has a good race over fences in him this season but probably over further, a remark that also applies to the mare Alasi.
Drumshambo (USA) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, led before 2 out, ridden clear between last 2, kept on strongly, won at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs beating Lancetto (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Viva Colonia (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, headway approaching 11th, went 3rd after last, stayed on, unable to get on terms with front pair, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Conquisto (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
King Edmund 14-1 (11-6) Chased leader, led 8th, pushed along before 3 out, headed well before next, weakened soon after, 6th of 15, 25l behind Drumshambo (11-4) at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs.
Kie (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Made all, hard driven 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Perth 2m nov chs (3) gs in Apr beating Upsilon Bleu (11-8) by 3l, 4 ran.
Alasi 10-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after 3 out, headed after next, 3rd and beaten last, one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Cockney Sparrow (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs lst hdl (1) gs.
Lancetto (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, good headway before 2 out, ridden and went 3rd soon after 2 out, went 2nd betwen last 2, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Drumshambo (11-4) at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs.
Saved By John (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Led, jumped right 2nd, mistake 9th, 6 lengths clear 2 out, reduced lead last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Rossini's Dancer (10-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
