mid-division, lost place after 4th
held up in rear, headway 6th to chase leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off when mistake and unseated rider last
held up mid-division, headweay 3 out, led on bit approaching last, soon clear
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leader and keen, outpaced approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
SADLER'S STAR is taken to make up for being a beaten favourite last time over this shorter trip, with Duty Free and Cootehill filling the frame. A winner on heavy ground, Cootehill has found one or two going a little quicker than him recently. He has been relatively consistent, but would appreciate rain to have a realistic chance here. Even Tony McCoy's arrival in the saddle was not enough to evoke a return to the winners' enclosure for Duty Free last time, and though McCoy persists with him, he looks one paced. Sadler's Star has been keeping good company and running with credit during the winter. He fell when holding every chance at the last at Wetherby recently, and although he was beaten into third last time, that was over a stamina sapping trip. Sadler's Star can make amends here.
Aviemore 125-1 (10-5) In touch, not fluent 4th, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 13, well behind Benetwood (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gf.
Breeze Way (FR) 10-1 (12-0) Led 2 til hdd & wknd app 3 out; pu nxt, in a race won by Ahwaak (11-7) at Tabley 3m ptp in May, 13 ran.
Cootehill (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd when jumped right 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd and beaten last, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 19l behind Max Bygraves (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Duty Free (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway going well enough to track leading pair 3 out, chased winner, edging left 2 out, no impression before last, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Black Jacari (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Jago (SWI) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, not fluent 5th, weakened approachin 3 out, 5th of 9, 37l behind Persian Warrior (10-7) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in May.
Sadler's Star (GER) 4-5fav (11-0) In touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Nabouko (11-0) at Southwell 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
The Graig 100-1 (10-9) Prominent, jumped slowly 4th, ridden next, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, well behind Moment Present (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Galley Slave (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Led, ridden, headed last, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 8l behind American Art (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Papuan Prince (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Pippbrook Gold (9-3) at Bath 1m 3yo auc stks (6) gd in Jun '08 (flat).
Ladette To Lady (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, struggling after 5th, soon well beaten, 8th of 11, well behind Vacario (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
