always prominent, mistake 5th, led 8th, hard driven and strongly challenged after 3 out, headed approaching last, stayed on under pressure
chased leaders, hampered and fell 5th
held up in touch, driven to challenge 3 out, led after next, ran on well, ridden out
behind, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, pushed along approaching 8th, headway from 2 out, ran on, nearest finish
behind, strong headway approaching 6th, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, hampered 5th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway when hit 4 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, hampered 5th, soon lost place, no danger after
held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, effort after next, soon one pace
mid-division, hard driven and headway 3 out, chased leaders next, faded before last
held up mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, hampered 5th, under pressure before 7th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
led, headed 8th, soon weakened
A good race for punters with five of the last eight favourites winning so close attention should be paid to the market. The vote goes the way of AL AMAAN in the hope that the market vibes are positive as he does have plenty to prove on his first start since leaving Paul Nicholls but he's undoubtedly well handicapped if Gary Moore can manage to get the best out of him. Puerto Azul shaped well enough behind the smart Dare Me and has claims now handicapping whilst it would be no surprise were Lively Fling to develop into an improved performer this season. Ballybach has claims on the pick of his form whilst Alison Batchelor has made a promising start to her training career and she has a smart ex-Flat horse on her hands in Minneapolis and it would be no surprise to see him involved in the finish.
Ballybach (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Always behind, pulled up before last, in a race won by Red Harbour (10-11) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Divy (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 9th, pulled up after 3 out, tailed off, in a race won by Flaming Charlie (11-4) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Like A Hurricane (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Took keen hold in mid division, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace between last 2, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Ackertac (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Phoenix Flight (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent last, no impression, 4th of 14, 7l behind Comehomequietly (10-7) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Iceman George 5-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway on outer after 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and switched right approaching last, led final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Keep Talking (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Keep Talking (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, led approaching 2 out, soon under pressure, ridden approaching last, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Iceman George (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Puerto Azul (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear and keen, headway approaching 3 out, in 4th and held when jumped badly left last, kept on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Dare Me (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Manele Bay 7-1 (11-3) Took keen hold in touch, hit 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 13, well behind Parlesotho (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Woodmore (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 10, 17l behind Rathcor (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Al Amaan 9-1 (11-7) Prominent, led before 5th, soon headed, hit 3 out, lost 2nd and beaten approaching 2 out, 4th and weakening when fell last, in a race won by Wilbury Star (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
Unleashed (IRE) 5-1fav (11-3) Held up, mistake 4th, headway from 3 out, challenged on outside to narrow lead 2 out, went right before last, stayed on under pressure flat, headed post, 2nd of 8, ns behind Uffa Fox (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Wilbury Star (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 5th of 8, 20l behind Freedom Fire (11-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Lively Fling (USA) 2-1fav (10-11) Held up in touch, not fluent when close up 6th, not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Riptide (11-10) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Minneapolis 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, well held before 2 out, took 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 12, 13l behind A Nun With A Gun (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Aug.
Bob Casey (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Led until after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 16, well behind Tullyraine (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Bon Spiel 5-1 (11-3) Chased leading pair, led after 7th, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no chance with easy winner, weakened to 4th flat, 4th of 7, 19l behind Scotsbrook Cloud (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
