in touch, led halfway, shaken up and quickened clear over 1f out, just ridden out final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along when outpaced halfway, driven and headway when edged left over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride and behind, soon chased along, effort when edged left 2f out, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed halfway, weakened over 1f out
soon outpaced, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, driven and one pace final furlong
jumped left at start and was soon chased along, never dangerous
Strathmore looks to be the one with most positives in this field although Mr Rooney and Guto look to hold solid claims. Paul Hanagan will be along for the ride and his presence aboard the four-year-old cannot be anything other than a positive. Admittedly Strathmore doesn't win very often but with other trailblazers around, he has the stamina to stay further than this and the race could pan out to suit. Mr Rooney had a pipeopener on the turf the other day at Pontefract. He showed well for a long way. Guto was disappointing last week in a claimer at the course but there's nothing of Fire Up The Band's caliber here. Twosheetstothewind makes a first visit to the track whilst No Time isn't the horse he once was and has been well beaten on previous visits here. Rebel Duke has it top prove whilst Sherjawy has made hay from low marks in the past but this is a tougher assignment. A fair opener and Strathmore is the pick.
Rebel Duke (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Chased leader, every chance over 2f out, hung right entering straight, not quicken inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind Back In The Red (9-3) at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Strathmore (IRE) 11-4 (8-12) Soon prominent and raced keenly, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering straight, 6th of 7, 11l behind Bel Cantor (9-1) at W'hampton 6f app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Tender Process (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Chased leaders to 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind After The Show (8-4) at Warwick 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Mar.
Guto 9-2 (8-8) Tracked winner until halfway and ridden, no extra inside final furlong, last of 4, 4 1/2l behind Fire Up The Band (9-5) at Southwell 5f clm (5) fbs in Mar.
Twosheetstothewind 18-1 (9-4) Always prominent, pulled hard, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Almaty Express (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
No Time (IRE) 9-1 (8-5) Held up in touch, driven and effort over 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 6, 3l behind Benllech (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Mr Rooney (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 14l behind Winthorpe (8-10) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Mar.
Sherjawy (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort when hampered and checked approaching final furlong, not recover, eased inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 5l behind Desert Light (8-5) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
