held up in 4th, went 3rd 15th, ridden and no impression when fell next
led, not fluent 9th, ridden when pecked 4 out, 4 lengths clear flat, got very weary and headed close home
tracked leaders, blundered 7th, went 2nd 9th, ridden after 15th, bad mistake 4 out, 4 lengths down flat, stayed on to lead close home
tracked leader until hit 9th and reminder, ridden and struggling after 15th, left modest 3rd 4 out
always last, pushed along 6th, reminder 1oth, behind 12th, pulled up after 15th
NonRunner
Listen And Learn has top weight and is best watched after an absence prior to which he was disappointing the last twice. ROYALRAISE offers a more reliably consistent profile and though he was easily swept aside last time that was on soft ground which appeared not to suit. He should be more at home on the better going and hopefully first-time blinkers will sharpen him up too. His second to Saint Roque in a novice handicap chase on his chase debut at Taunton reads well in the context of this race. Wild Rover is relatively unexposed and should not be discounted for a stable which is back in form, whilst Under The Phone will seek to capitalise on his greater chasing experience.
Listen And Learn (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened 5 out, soon tailed off, pulled up 4 out, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Royalraise (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd 10th, pushed along after 3 out, blundered next, soon held and no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 3, 25l behind Spirit Of Shankly (10-12) at Towcester 3m (4) sft in Mar.
Wild Rover (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, went right 4th, soon lost place, behind when fell 6 out, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Under The Phone (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Prominent, driven to challenge before 3 out, kept on same pace after last, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Lemon's Gent (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Detroit Blues 50-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 5th, struggling 7th, well beaten 3 out, 12th of 14, dist behind Cottersrock (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
An Poc Ar Buile (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up behind and not fluent, outpaced from 4 out, headway before 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Sirius Star (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
