led, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
behind, headway before 3 out, ridden and left modest 4th next
mid-division, headway after 4th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened before next
mistakes 1st and 3rd, always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
never travelled in rear, driven along after 2nd, tailed off
in touch until weakened before and blundered 4th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led approaching 3 out, narrowly headed and ridden when fell 2 out
always in rear, mistakes, tailed off 4th
chased leader, not fluent 2nd, soon lost 2nd weakened before 4th, tailed off
held up mid-division to rear, headway 4th, in touch when hit 4 out and next, left modest 3rd 2 out
in touch, 3rd from 3rd, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, easily
Nonrunner
RICHMOND has progressed steadily since joining Ian Williams on the back of a success in Fontainebleau and looked a slightly unlucky loser when last seen on his handicap bow, just failing to reel in the winner at Warwick and clear of the remainder. There are question marks about him, however, in that he hasn't been seen this year and has yet to encounter ground this quick. He's worth the chance nevertheless with the reliable Pret A Thou nominated as a leading danger alongside the improving Maadraa. Decoy is also of interest but has hitherto done all his running on ground with considerable give underfoot.
Pret A Thou (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, chased leaders, mistake 8th, lost place next, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Fine Parchment (10-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Ballagio (IRE) 3-1fav (11-1) In touch, tracked leaders 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 13, 29l behind Traffic Chaos (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Cluain Alainn (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off, 14th of 16, 49l behind Bermuda Boy (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Don't Hang About 50-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Old Way (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Gracious Beau 66-1 (10-10) Chased leader, effort over 4f oiut, soon lost place, eased over 1f out,, 11th of 13, well behind Hard To Swallow (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (5) gd in Mar.
Grovemere (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Always behind, 12th of 14, 44l behind Arthurian Legend (11-6) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Johnny Owen (IRE) 200-1 (11-3) Behind, pulled hard, weakened 4 out, 12th of 14, well behind Brampour (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Richmond (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up behind, headway 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, closed on winner between last 2, soon ridden, 3 lengths down when hit last, stayed on well under pressure to challenge flat, just held, 2nd of 12, ns behind Eastwell Smiles (11-3) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Semelay (FR) 200-1 (11-2) Mid-divsion, hit 3rd, hit 6th, soon in rear, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Henry King (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Swing State 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, took keen hold, jumped left 3rd, headway approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Express Leader (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Generous Bob 100-1 (10-4) Mid-division, pushed along after 5th, soon lost place, stayed on again approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 30l behind Henry King (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Street Entertainer (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up in rear but in touch, weakened 4th, soon beaten, last of 6, well behind Spirit Son (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f Listed nov hdl (1) sft in Feb.
Decoy (FR) 17-2 (11-1) Mid-division, headway from 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 16l behind Reindeer Dippin (11-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Maadraa (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, not fluent, headway after 4th, chased winner after 6th, 5 lenghts down when mistake 2 out, mistake and held last, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Alla Svelta (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gs in Mar.
