tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up in last, took keen hold, jumped slowly 1st, headway 3 out, pecked 2 out, 4th and no impression last
held up, headway 4th, driven 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, blundered badly next, not recover and pulled up
mostly with winner until after 2 out, weakened after last
held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, effort on outside approaching 2 out, no impression approaching last
made virtually all, driven flat, stayed on well to draw clear final 100 yards
blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up in touch, lost place 6th, rallied after 2 out, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd flat, no impression on winner
mid-division, took keen hold, headway 7th, chased winner approaching last, no impression when demoted to 3rd final 100 yards
A competitive heat where GOOD OLD THYME is given the vote, while Babysitter, Keki Buku and Lord Ragnar are among the dangers. The last-named won a hands and heels race at Newbury last time, which was not as strong as this race, but he stays this far and acts on good ground. Barry Geraghty's presence in the saddle should be a plus, though he has been beaten on the gelding on each of his five rides thus far. Wetherby winner Babysitter is open to further improvement and stays at least this far. He was runner-up in a Grade 3 at Sandown last time, which is very smart form, and he is feared, although also untried on good ground. Keki Buku would appear to want softer ground than this to be at his best, while he also has to prove his stamina, while these conditions will suit Saticon, who stays and has some very solid form on his CV, hence top weight. Our Bomber Harris has to prove himself on a sound surface, but this trip suits and given connections he has to be a leading player, though preference is for Good Old Thyme. Dr Robert Newland's six-year-old has conditions to suit and is proven over the trip. On a line through Sir Harry Ormesher he has leading claims today and from a fair mark he can score.
Saticon 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 9th of 24, 17l behind Pause And Clause (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Our Bomber Harris 9-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th, headway approaching 2 out, chasing winner and 3 lengths down, ridden when mistake last, no impression after, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Bensalem (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Apr '09.
Keki Buku (FR) 33-1 (10-1) Prominent main group, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, stayed on approaching last, no impression, 8th of 28, 11l behind Thousand Stars (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Lord Ragnar (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear in well grouped field, headway 7th, led when not fluent last, stayed on well to assert flat, won at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (3) sft in Mar beating Beau Lake (10-9) by 3l, 11 ran.
Babysitter (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, challenged 6th, led after 3 out, headed last, ridden and rallied to lead again narrowly flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 18, shd behind Red Harbour (10-11) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Tilt 66-1 (10-5) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders 2 out, kept on, no impression, 4th of 23, 12l behind Qaspal (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Mar.
Good Old Thyme (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, blundered last, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 7l behind Majaales (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Quartz de Thaix (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, in 5th when stumbled badly on landing and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Pickamus (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
The Real Deal (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) Led main group well behind winner until 3rd, went 2nd again after 8th, closed to within 7 lenghts 3 out, 3 lenghts down last, edged left flat, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Marodima (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Pontop (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, chased winner and hit 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Ramsden Boy (10-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Paint The Clouds 10-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden to chase leader after 3 out until before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 11, 23l behind Lush Life (11-6) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Mar.
