led until headed before 2 out, weakened soon after
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 4 out, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, blundered badly 4th and dropped rear, headway 3 out, driven to dispute lead and bad mistake last, rallied flat, just held close home
close up, ridden 4 out, weakened next, well behind 2 out, tailed off
in touch, tracked leader after 4th, soon ridden and weakened 2 out
held up last, headway 4 out, disputed lead 2 out, led before last, challenged last, ran on strongly under pressure, just held on
tracked leader, disputed lead and every chance 2 out, headed before last, weakened flat
close up, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out
Well Chief gets the vote here with Limerick Boy, Sporazene and Spectroscope taken to chase our selection home. Well Chief is in great heart at present and set a course record when winning well at Wincanton earlier in the month when beating Quazar. This gelding is progressing with every run, and with A P McCoy in the plate will take a good deal of beating. Limerick Boy could well represent the main danger and he was a good second behind Back in Front at Punchestown back in April, but he has a long absence to overcome, so may just need this, his first run of the season. Sporazene and Spectroscope are also returning after an absence but will both run their races. The latter chased home the former back in May at Punchestown and is weighted to confirm superiority here, but neither can be ruled out and it would be no surprise to see these two involved at the finish. Tramantano is unlikely to see out this trip so can be ruled out, while the rest will have to improve to trouble those on the shortlist. This is a good competitive contest to round off the card, and we are happy to side with the progressive Well Chief.
