always behind, blundered 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
held up in mid-division, steady headway from 10th, stayed on well run-in
prominent, chased leader 6th, losing place when mistake 3 out, no chance when blundered next
held up, staying on well when slightly hampered 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
chased leader to 6th, weakened before 4 out, beaten when hampered 3 out
led 3rd, blundered and headed 11th, no chance when hampered 3 out, pulled up before last
prominent, close up when hampered 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, weakened flat
always towards rear, mistake 5th, held up when pulled up before 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway 12th, driven to chase winner when blundered last, not quicken, run-in
led to 3rd, remained prominent, led again 11th and going well when blundered and fell 3 out
in touch when blundered and fell 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway from 10th, mistake 4 out and next, stayed on well to run-in to take 2nd near finish, finished well
held up, headway from 4 out, stayed on run-in, not reached leaders
in touch, went 2nd 4 out, left in lead 3 out, soon headed and one pace before last
close up in inside when slightly hampered 3 out, weakened next
never better than mid-division
held up in mid-division, headway from 10th, led after 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, hung right run-in but ran on well
prominent, lost place before 10th, behind when hampered 3 out, never dangerous after
always behind, mistake 7th, struggling from 11th
behind, hit 2nd, ridden 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
in touch to 5th, behind when mistake 7th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
The last running of this race provides some valuable pointers to this renewal as the first three home meet again on similar terms. However, Fadoudal Du Cochet's latest outings have not really hinted that he can overcome a 6lb higher mark as he bids to retain the race for Arthur Moore. The same comments can be leveled at Exit Swinger, whose stable have endured a frustrating Festival so far, and he is passed over. Dark 'N Sharp makes the most appeal out of the trio and is still open to plenty of improvement - even though he is creeping up the weights. Eskleybrook is another to consider after proving his defeat of Tiutchev was no one-off at Kempton last month. However, marginal preference is for Vol Solitare, who has done very little wrong in his six previous starts over fences. He does have a minimal penalty to carry for his easy win at Kelso at the start of the month. But like many of his stablemates, he arrives at the Festival at the top of his game.
