led until 2nd, stayed prominent, 3rd and beaten when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, closed before 5th, mistake 3 out, weakened next
prominent until 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, clear before last, easily
held up, pushed along 6th, well beaten from 8th, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led and not fluent 2nd, not fluent 8th, headed 2 out, no impression on winner when dived left and mistake last
prominent, hit 2nd and lost place, not fluent 8th, outpaced after 8th, not fluent 4 out, went 3rd and stayed on from before last, no chance with winner
Germany Calling jumped from fence to fence when making all at Carlisle on his return from a break but this looks a much tougher assignment and he is likely to be short enough in the betting. Yorkist did well last season and has scope for further improvement but Festive Affair and Tornado In Milan both have something to prove on their seasonal reappearance and Russborough was pulled up in successive races before winning a minor contest at Exeter at the end of March. After three runs, DRESDEN should be approaching peak fitness and he ran well in a Grade 3 here in April off a 2lb higher mark - Henry Oliver's charge gets the nod.
Germany Calling (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Made all, clear before last, eased towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Relic Rock (10-8) by 3l, 6 ran.
Yorkist (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, chased winner before last, no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd place close home, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Duke Of Navan (11-3) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Dresden (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden before 2 out, weakened and lost 4th place towards finish, 5th of 8, 9l behind Broughton (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Festive Affair (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders on inside, left 2nd 13th (valantines), fell next, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Tornado In Milan (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led until 3rd, chased leader until before 5th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Plumpton 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Russborough (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leader until led narrowly 5th (water) until 9th, chased leader until before 4 out, 2nd again 4 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead soon after, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Tom Neary (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
