always towards rear
held up in rear, hit 2nd, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, led last, ran on
mid-division, ridden 4th, weakened next
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden next, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
always towards rear
chased leaders, left 2nd 4th, led after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, stayed on
chased leader, fell 4th
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out
This should rest between La Dolfina, Megaton, Pearson Glen and So Brash and the vote goes to La Dolfina. Philip Hobbs's mare looks well handicapped at present despite an 8lb rise for a Ludlow success in a similar contest last time. She had previously been a bit in and out but the confidence gained from winning plus the suggestion that she could have won by more can combine to help her get her nose in front again. Megaton is from a much respected yard and has Tony McCoy booked. He drops right back in trip from 2m 7f to 2m 1f here, but should not be inconvenienced and loves fast ground, so he can go well. So Brash has been fairly consistent in a string of maiden hurdle defeats, although is unproven on ground this fast and may still have more in the locker, while Pearson Glen looks too high in the weights at present and we take La Dolfina to follow up.
So Brash (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 13, 18l behind Vaughan (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gf in May.
La Dolfina 14-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway throughout, ridden to lead flat, won at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May beating Beaver (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Megaton 11-4fav (11-6) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, 15l behind El Corredor (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Dreams Jewel 18-1 (11-11) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 33l behind Long Road (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Pearson Glen (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, ridden and outpaced by winner last, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 10, 10l behind Nounou (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in May.
Flamand (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Long Road (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May, 17 ran.
Sun Hill 12-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, under pressure from 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Fountain Crumble (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (4) gf in May.
Nazimabad (IRE) 6-1fav (11-9) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, one pace from next, 6th of 16, 11l behind Northern Link (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
