disputed lead until 3 out, rallied and every chance next, kept on same pace closing stages
disputed lead until 3 out, weakened after next
in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led next, soon challenged, stayed on well
chased leaders, blundered 2nd, outpaced before 5 out, rallied 3 out, stayed on into 2nd approaching last, no extra towards finish
held up in last trio, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon one pace
held up in last trio, weakened 9th, behind when pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, effort 2 out, weakened last
always in rear, slow 5th, mistake 6 out, soon beaten, tailed off
Gonalston Cloud should go well again having won at Wetherby last month but Return Flight’s recent placed effort came in a bumper and he remains 6lb higher than when landing a chase at Uttoxeter last year. But Wolf Sword is back on a winning mark and gave notice of a big run here with last week’s second at Carlisle. However, HUFF AND PUFF was having his first start for over a year when scoring at Hereford recently so it’s reasonable to expect improvement from Venetia William’s charge today and he gets the nod raised only 2lb.
Gonalston Cloud (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Led briefly after 1st, led 4th, headed 7th, led before 8th until 12th, led approaching 4 out, edged left flat, went clear, stayed on, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Goodtoknow (11-3) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Return Flight 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leader until over 2f out, kept on same pace in 3rd final 2f, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Lough Kent (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Mar.
Wolf Sword (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on well, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Pistol Park (11-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Huff And Puff 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 11th, ridden 2 out, driven and held on gamely towards finish, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Apr beating Pembroke House (10-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Until Winning (FR) 11-2 (12-0) In rear, headway before 4 out, in 4th before last, kept on towards finish, 5th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Shockingtimes (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Mr Shantu (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 9th, ridden before 4 out, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 7, 11 3/4l behind Monbeg Charmer (11-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Ready Token (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Led narrowly to 8th, with leaders, lost place 13th, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Attention Please (10-0) at Musselburgh 3m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
An Laoch (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Led and disputed, headed 6th, lost 2nd next, chased leading pair, pushed long and one pace in 3rd before 4 out, 3rd of 4, 7 3/4l behind Celtic Flames (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
