led, soon clear with one other, headed 3 out, weakening when fell last
held up, blundered 6th, mistake 8th, headway after 11th, no impression, modest 4th
held up towards rear, headway 12th, never on terms
chased clear leaders, took closer order 4 out, went 2nd after next, no chance with winner
held up, mistake 5th, under pressure 4 out, left in modest 3rd at last
chased leader and clear of remainder, led 3 out, drew clear next, easily
held up, never dangerous, beaten 5 out, tailed off
always in rear, tailed off
An open handicap in which BLAKERIGG is given the chance to atone for a strangely lacklustre performance at the recent Perth festival when pulled up. He is far better than that run and a return to the level which saw him gain back-to-back successes during the winter, including over course and distance, would see him in the shake-up. Fellow course and distance winner, Graystown, continues to perform consistently well and should deliver another competitive account off this unchanged mark. Dr Robin is not the most reliable around but has definite claims at his best and the return to a sounder surface is also a plus point for the Welsh raider. Sophie Olivia is also running well enough at present to warrant a place on the shortlist.
Sword Of Fate (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Led before 1st where mistake, mistake next, hit 4th and next, headed 8th, chased leaders, weakened after 5 out, behind when mistake next, pulled up soon after, at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Dr Robin (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, well beaten 4 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Diger Daudaie (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Sophie Olivia (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd 9th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and slightly outpaced, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Song Saa (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Blakerigg (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Not always fluent, behind most of way, reminders and struggling final circuit, lost touch when pulled up before 5 out, at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Return Flight 11-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, lost place before 5th, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Ryalex (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Welcome Ben (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led, jumped right and not fluent 2 out, edged right approaching last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Sporting Press (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Graystown (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, challenged 3 out, led narrowly before next, not fluent last, soon headed and ridden, one pace flat, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Instingtive (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Opechee (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up, always towards rear, outpaced before 3 out, never a threat, 7th of 9, 36 1/4l behind Reverse The Charge (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May.
