led until 3rd, led after next, blundered and headed 5th, lost place 4 out, well beaten next
held up in rear, blundered 8th, headway 3 out, no extra before last
prominent, led 3rd, headed after next, led 5th, headed after 2 out, weakened flat
held up in rear, raced keenly, closed 8th, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, stayed on
prominent, not fluent 7th, hit 4 out, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 8th, rallied after 3 out, no impression before last, kept on flat, went 3rd towards finish
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway 8th, weakened from 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd after 4 out, hit 3 out, led after 2 out, blundered last, ridden out
Arvico Bleu was easy to back when making a winning start for new connections at Carlisle but the second and third have both been beaten since. Sao has been dropped a couple of pounds since second at Perth in April but Golden Whisky has been raised 2lb since his second at Sandown in March. ESPION DU CHENET travels over from County Kilkenny off the back of a cosy victory at Down Royal eight days ago. Still at the right end of the handicap, Louise Lyons’ charge gets a tentative vote to follow up though Darling Du Large also arrives in good form while chasing debutant Gunsight Ridge has won a point and a hurdle race. Antunes has ability but is proving hard to catch right.
Antunes 7-2 (11-4) Led, headed before 3 out, lost 2nd 3 out, soon outpaced and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, dist behind Grey Diamond (10-3) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Knight In Dubai (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up, hampered and unseated rider 3rd, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Arvico Bleu (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, jumped well, shaken up after 3 out, led 2 out, ridden out run-in, eased towards finish, comfortably, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Gold Des Bois (11-2) by 4l, 5 ran.
Sao (FR) 10-3jfav (11-12) Raced keenly towards rear, not fluent 4 out, soon pushed along, went second approaching 2 out, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Fanzio (11-5) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Golden Whisky (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Led, joined 2 out, headed between last 2, stayed on same pace after, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Five Star Getaway (10-1) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Gunsight Ridge Evensfav (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway to chase leader on the run to 2 out, disputing lead when not fluent 2 out, gathered up and every chance last, kept on but not pace to trouble winner, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Prince Escalus (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Espion Du Chenet (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct beating Samurai Cracker (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Darling Du Large (FR) 10-3 (11-2) Jumped well, towards rear, chased leaders after 5 out, pressed leaders and led 3 out, ridden out from last, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Fort De L'Ocean (10-11) by 5l, 5 ran.
