took keen hold tracking leading pair, went 2nd after 8th, challenged and hit 3 out, led soon after, joined 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed but kept narrow advantage flat, held on gamely
led until ridden and headed soon after 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
always towards rear, never involved
chased leader until 8th, soon lost place, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, pushed along and struggling 3 out
chased leaders on inside, challenged and hit 3 out, weakened to 4th when blundered last
raced wide, held up, pushed along 8th, good headway approaching 3 out, chased winner after 3 out, challenged next, upsides flat, ridden and strong challenge in closing stages, just held
held up towards rear, good headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd before last, ridden and strong challenge flat, no extra in closing stages
chased leaders, pushed along in 4th before 2 out, weakened before last
took keen hold, and always towards rear, tailed off
DRUM VALLEY ran well for sixth in a much more competitive race at Cheltenham last time behind Party Rock. He can carry top weight to victory in this company with a similar effort though E Street Boy arrives in fine form having won at Wincanton before following up over these hurdles. But he has a 6lb rise to contend with and runner-up Gores Island should push him close again. Be All Man disappointed when favourite at Worcester last time and Stratford winner Sir Fredlot may improve past him, although both the latter and Signed Request are stepping up in class today as is Ironically.
Drum Valley 10-1 (10-4) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway 2 out, stayed on to chase leaders flat, no extra final 75 yards, 6th of 17, 7l behind Party Rock (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
E Street Boy 15-8fav (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, led next, headed before 2 out, rallied on outside to lead again last, driven and stayed on to assert final 100 yards, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Gores Island (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Gores Island (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Took keen hold, held up headway to chase leaders before 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led before next, soon ridden, headed last, stayed on same pace and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind E Street Boy (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Teenage Kicks (IRE) 18-1 (11-8) Raced wide in touch, awkward jump 6th, headway to get in behind leaders before 7th, soon driven and weakened, tailed off 9th, 8th of 9, well behind Cinevator (11-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Apr.
Drussell (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 31l behind Turn Over Sivola (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Be All Man (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Chased clear leader, not fluent 5th, lost 2nd when not fluent next, still close up 3 out, 3rd and one pace last, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Tuscan Gold (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Va'vite (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Held up in last pair, headway approaching 2 out, plugged on in 4th from last, never a threat, 4th of 11, 6l behind Polly Peachum (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f mares nov hcp hdl Listed (1) gs in Apr.
Sir Fredlot (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway before last, kept on to lead post, won at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr beating Oyster Shell (11-7) by shd, 8 ran.
Ironically (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon outpaced, staying on when hampered next, chased winner after last, never able to challenge, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Brunton Blue (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gd in Apr.
Signed Request (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th or 6th, headway when mistake 3 out, led 2 out, edged left before last, soon clear, comfortably, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Apr beating Flash Harriet (10-4) by 6l, 16 ran.
