mid-division, pushed along after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and rallied over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, not trouble front pair
mid-division, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), headway under pressure turning in, ridden and stayed on to take 4th towards finish, not reach leaders
in touch, lost place 3 out (usual 4 out), soon behind, kept on final furlong, never nearer
mid-division in touch, driven after last (usual 2 out), ridden and weakened final furlong
tracked leader, effort after last (usual 2 out), kept on and every chance until ridden and no extra inside final furlong, lost 2 places towards finish
towards rear, headway 2 out (usual 3 out), chased front pair turning in, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, just held
chased leaders to after 2 out (usual 3 out), soon behind
prominent on outside, outpaced last (usual 2 out), ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up behind on outside, fell last (usual 2 out)
tracked leaders, ridden before last (usual 2 out), never on terms, weakened final furlong
towards rear, headway 2 out (usual 3 out), driven to chase leaders turning in, kept on same pace, never on terms
tracked leaders, driven and lost place when short of room after last (usual 2 out), soon weakened
led early, in touch, dropped to mid-division after 2nd (usual 4th), outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened over 1f out
soon led, driven and headed after last (usual 2 out), soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, fell 2 out (usual 3 out)
held up in rear, headway after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and wide turning in, switched inside and kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
mid-division, headway 3 out (usual 4 out), led after last (usual 2 out), ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely when hard pressed final furlong, just held on ( 3 flights omitted, low sun)
behind, badly hampered and almost unseated rider 2 out (usual 3 out), never able to challenge
NonRunner
NonRunner
VERDANA BLUE has returned to action in fine form having followed a Listed success with victory in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton last week. Nicky Henderson’s mare is taken to defy a penalty with more to come. Silver Streak also arrives in fine form and won the Grade 3 Swinton Handicap at Haydock in May before making a winning reappearance at Ffos Las while Western Ryder ended last season with good efforts at the highest level and is another to consider. Storm Rising has a 14lb hike to contend with bidding for a hat-trick and stablemate Le Patriote is preferred while Grade 2 winner Midnight Shadow is not out of this having beaten Charli Parcs at Ayr in April. Nube Negra makes most appeal of the three Dan Skelton runners and Deyrann de Carjac represents last year’s winning yard.
Old Guard 15-8 (11-6) Close up, pushed along 4 out, went 3rd next, ridden and switched right approaching last, effort between horses and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Nautical Nitwit (11-0) at Wetherby 3m (1) gd in Nov.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, travelling well when switched left before last, led before the last, pushed readily clear run-in, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov beating If The Cap Fits (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Mohaayed 3-1jfav (10-11) Held up in touch, pushed along and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace flat, 4th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Silver Streak (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Charli Parcs (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, pressing for 3rd last, no extra towards finish, 4th of 16, 3 3/4l behind Midnight Shadow (10-4) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Western Ryder (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, travelling strongly when blundered and lost momentum briefly 4 out, every chance 3 out, hung left and beaten going to last, stayed on same pace flat, 5th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Black Op (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Silver Streak (IRE) 3-1jfav (10-4) Held up, headway after 5th, ridden to lead approaching last, driven and edged left flat, ran on well, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Le Prezien (11-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
Caius Marcius (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders early, steadied into mid-division after 2nd, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied after 2 out, stayed on well towards finish, 3rd of 9, 8 3/4l behind Fidux (11-2) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Midnight Shadow 5-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch, tracked leader halfway, challenged 3 out, hit next, driven and every chance when not fluent last, ridden and kept on flat, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Innocent Touch (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Irish Roe (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Close up, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner last, no impression and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Lady Buttons (10-12) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
Storm Rising (IRE) 2-5fav (11-6) Raced keenly tracking leaders, closer in 2nd at 5th, led 3 out, came clear between last 2, easily, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Cornborough (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Nube Negra (SPA) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, 4th 2 out, pressing for 3rd last, no impression on front pair, no extra and lost 4th close home, 5th of 10, 21l behind We Have A Dream (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Equus Amadeus (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, 2nd after 2 out, ridden to lead inside final 150 yards, readily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gf in Oct beating Mick Thonic (10-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mad Jack Mytton (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, headway last, kept on, no chance with winner, 4th of 16, 4 3/4l behind Storm Rising (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Vado Forte (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, closer in 3rd place before 4 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 5 3/4l behind Ballymoy (11-12) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Deyrann de Carjac (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3 out, challenged approaching last, kept on but no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Pym (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Not That Fuisse (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, went 2nd after 2 out, led before last, soon headed and not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Seddon (10-12) at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Nov.
Nietzsche 9-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Hawridge Flyer (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Man Of Plenty 9-1 (11-2) In rear, headway last, ran on, nearest finish, 5th of 16, 5l behind Storm Rising (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Le Patriote (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Held up, closed after 3rd, 2nd when not fluent 2 out, led flat, ran on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Chti Balko (11-12) by 2l, 7 ran.
Brianstorm (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Led, headed before mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
