chased leader, led before 3 out, headed next, weakened flat, lost 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, lost place after 9th, remote 5th when fell 2 out
always behind
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, closed next, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner flat
took keen hold, led, hit 1st, clear when not fluent 3rd, headed before 3 out, well held from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish
jumped right, mid-division, mistake 6th, behind from 8th
chased leaders, led 2 out, clear flat, comfortably
towards rear, well behind from 8th
Withdrawn
Yorkist has run well here in the past but last season ended with a bit of a whimper and he’s not getting any younger. Theflyingportrait has 7lb more than when successful last year having won at Kelso four weeks ago. Wishfull Dreaming will need to up his game to make a winning reappearance off this mark but is the type to keep improving. Ecu De La Noverie was consistent last season for Philip Hobbs and makes more appeal than Sir Egbert and The Paddy Pie but COOL MIX is back over his best trip having failed to stay 2m4f in a Grade 2 at Ayr in the spring. Daryl Jacob is a good stand-in for Brian Hughes, who has chosen to switch to the race-fit Ballyvic Boru.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) With leader, led 2nd, made rest, ridden clear after 2 out, in no danger after, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Tidal Watch (12-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
Top Gamble (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until 8th, well beaten 4 out, 14th of 19, dist behind Croco Bay (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Cool Mix 25-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, tracked leaders when blundered and lost place 13th, soon outpaced, never able to get back on terms, left behind from 4 out, last of 7, 27 1/4l behind Secret Investor (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Yorkist (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, closed on outside 8th, mistake 4 out, driven after 3 out, beaten and last from next, last of 4, 31l behind Mcgroarty (11-7) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Ecu De La Noverie (FR) 7-4fav (11-11) Led until 6th, chased leader who went clear before next, closer after 10th, led next, pushed along after 3 out, weakened and headed before last, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Blue Flight (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Sir Egbert 5-2 (11-10) Sweating, led, clear before 3rd, headed and weakened 3 out, blundered next, tailed off, last of 8, 35 1/2l behind Not Another Muddle (11-13) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
The Paddy Pie (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, blundered next, never able to challenge, 4th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Mahlermade (10-10) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Ballyvic Boru (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Tracked leader, went 2nd after 5 out, outpaced after 2 out, lost place when ridden between last 2, no chance with front pair from last, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Theflyingportrait (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Treshnish (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division, not fluent 8th, outpaced 10th, well beaten from next, 6th of 7, dist behind Tanarpino (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Wishfull Dreaming Evens (10-9) Tracked rival pair, went 2nd after 5 out, came towards stands to challenge approaching last, led flat, driven out, going away towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Peppay Le Pugh (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 3 ran.
