chased leader, took it up 4th, hung left after 6th, headed 4 out and weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, took it up 4 out, headed last, pushed along and weakened home turn
in rear, headway tracking leaders 3 out, went 2nd but could not match pace of leader home turn, stayed on well final 100 yards, lost 2nd close home
mid-division, went 2nd 4 out, took it up last, few lengths clear approaching run-in, kept on well final 100 yards, held on well
mid-division, not fluent last when still in contention on outside, pushed along and not quicken soon after, stayed on strongly final close home, not reach winner
led, headed 5th and lost ground, struggling from 5 out in rear, tailed off
For many Cartmel regulars this will be all about Tonto's Spirit. He adores the Lake District venue and is seeking a seventh success around the track. He's sure to have been prepared for this and has to be on every shortlist. However, it's not a straightforward assignment and in CLEAR THE RUNWAY he faces a truly in-form opponent. The Morgan inmate has landed five of his last seven starts - mixing fences and hurdles - and has ideal conditions. As a six-year-old, he should have more to come and can overcome the local favourite. Rebecca Menzies fires a double salvo with Return Ticket and Sao, and it would be folly to leave either out of calculations.
Return Ticket (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Towards rear, chased leaders after 4 out, forced wide home turn, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Slate House (11-4) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
Arvico Bleu (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Chased leader, hit 8th, not fluent 3 out, pushed along before next, weakened approaching last, last of 5, 17l behind Dreams Of Home (11-6) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Sao (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, tracking leaders 4 out, shaken up 2 out, soon beaten, went 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 5, 14 1/4l behind Joke Dancer (11-4) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Clear The Runway (IRE) 2-13fav (11-9) Jumped left at times, made all, quickened clear when dived at 2 out, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in May beating Boreen Boy (11-9) by 25l, 3 ran.
Dr Sanderson (IRE) 22-1 (12-0) In rear, ridden 2 out, ran on same pace, never involved, 6th of 9, 21 3/4l behind Fulgurix (11-6) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gs in May.
Tonto's Spirit 4-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, landed awkwardly and lost place 4 out, well held from 4 out, went 4th close home, 4th of 5, 22 1/4l behind Joke Dancer (11-4) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
