held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, progress to chase leaders next, weakened before last
tracked leader, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace after last
tracked leaders, led approaching last, hard ridden, all out
in rear, mistakes 4th and 3 out, headway before next, switched right to challenge approaching last, soon chasing winner, stayed on well
chased leaders, weakened quickly 3 out, soon tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened before last
led, strongly challenged after 3 out, headed before last, no extra closing stages
NonRunner
Iniciar had a pipe-opener on the all-weather recently but may still need this run. Travertine and Mr Fitzroy both step up a grade while Exeter runner-up Trans Express is probably a few pounds too high but it would be no surprise to see the four-year-old Oxford Blu bounce back. THE SWEENEY came good at Wincanton two weeks ago but an 8lb rise looks harsh. However, Wynford hasn’t raced since September so his fitness will have to be taken on trust and Ballinure will be back over fences sooner rather than later.
Iniciar (GER) 50-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, 22l behind Dubawi Fifty (9-7) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
The Sweeney (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged on outside going well to lead 2 out, clear before the last, idled run-in, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Secret Door (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Ballinure (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) With leader, led narrowly 10th to next, regained lead 3 out, headed between last 2, soon ridden, weakened from last, last of 8, 18l behind Benatar (12-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Wynford (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, jumped badly right 2 out, headed last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Destiny's Gold (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Oxford Blu 12-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden when not much room after 2 out, well beaten after, 10th of 15, 18 1/4l behind Magic Dancer (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Travertine (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Mid-division, blundered badly 3rd, hampered 7th, ridden to close 3 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Just So Cool (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Trans Express (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased clear leader, closed to lead before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Show On The Road (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Mr Fitzroy (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Disputed lead until ridden before 2 out when not fluent 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 6, 16 1/2l behind Lord County (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Apr.
