mid-division, headway under pressure 2 out when not fluent, went 3rd last, stayed on well flat
handy, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, every chance last, kept on same pace flat
mid-division, pushed along and made no impression approaching 2 out
mid-division on outside, headway going well approaching 2 out, soon disputed lead, every chance last, stayed on well flat, won going away
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened thereafter
always towards rear, never a factor
held up, struggling before 2 out, minor late headway
rear of mid-division, headway from off pace 2 out, could not go pace of leaders last, plugged on
held up, mistake 4 out, some headway from off pace 2 out, soon outpaced, kept on in distant 5th
always towards rear, never involved
mid-division, pushed along and weakened home turn
chased leader, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, no extra last
GARDE DES CHAMPS returns from a break of just over two months. He remains a maiden under Rules but his overall profile is consistent and reliable in this grade and the booking of the champion jockey suggests he's ready to go. Only beaten under a length on his penultimate start over this trip, he can go one better. Course and distance winner, Well Planted, and recent Perth scorer, Just Dottie, give R Mike Smith a strong hand with McLernon and Sheehan booked. Russian Virtue is dangerous as he remains acceptably treated off an unchanged mark and recent efforts indicate he's ready to win again. Darkest Day has a decent shout off the bottom rung too and Ballinlough Gale naturally needs a market check for Gordon Elliott despite an uninspiring record of 1-30 under NH Rules.
Well Planted (FR) 13-2 (11-8) Midfield, pushed along after 3 out, never on terms, 4th of 6, 25 1/2l behind Calico (11-3) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Garde Des Champs (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Jumped left, led and 4 lengths clear with one other, ridden and headed last, no extra and lost 2 places close home, 4th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Quaresome (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Ballinlough Gale (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden into 6th before last, kept on same pace straight, 5th of 15, 10l behind We'llhavewan (11-9) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp gd in May.
Russian Virtue 15-2 (11-1) Chased clear leaders, closed up at 4th, pushed along and headway after 2 out, disputed lead last, ridden and one pace run-in, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Castel Gandolfo (12-0) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) gf in May.
Balkalin (FR) 15-2 (10-8) Led until after 2nd, chased leader until pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 12l behind Glinger Flame (11-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Faron (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) In rear, reminders 5th, ridden and struggling from 4 out, jumped badly right final 3 flights, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Alnadam (12-0) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Excelcius (USA) 7-2 (11-9) Midfield, headway to challenge before 2 out, led after 2 out, pushed along and headed approaching last, no extra from last, lost third final strides, 4th of 10, 24 1/4l behind Trebizond (11-6) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in May.
Kilbrainy (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Held up in rear-division, good headway chasing leaders 3 out, went 2nd before next, every chance early run-in, soon no extra and readily held, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Pateen (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
Just Dottie 9-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, smooth headway 3 out, nudged along to challenge 2 out, led approaching last, readily, won at Perth 2m hcp (5) gd in May beating Beauty To Behold (11-6) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
Willy Nilly (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear of mid mid-division, not fluent 1st, ridden and weakened fom 2 out, 8th of 11, dist behind The Wounded Knee (11-4) at Perth 2m mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Malangen (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 4 out until after 2 out, chased leaders, pushed along home turn, weakened turning in, 7th of 12, 10 1/2l behind Pateen (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
Darkest Day (IRE) 17-2 (10-2) Disputed lead, led after 3rd, pushed along approaching last, kept on and headed run-in, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Trebizond (12-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
