jumped right virtually throughout, pressed leader on outside, led before 9th, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair before last, lost 3rd closing stages
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd 5 out, ridden after 2 out, soon chased leader, stayed on to lead flat, going away towards finish
led to 9th, tracked leader, lost place when blundered badly and good recovery by rider 5 out, behind from next, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, chased leaders after 4 out, outpaced in 4th next, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd closing stages, no impression with front pair
tracked front pair, went 2nd 5 out, led 2 out, 3 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and headed flat, no extra towards finish
Theinval, placed at Cheltenham and Aintree, was due to line-up in a handicap here yesterday. Oldgrangewood has won three times this season but had his limitations exposed last time at Newbury and has a stiff task on these terms. Flying Angel was back to his best at Aintree earlier this month when beating Cloudy Dream, who had earlier finished second in the Arkle. A repeat of that form would make the Twiston-Davies’ novice hard to beat but he rarely runs two races alike. CLAN DES OBEAUX by-passed the big spring meetings to take in a small race at Exeter, which he won. He gives the impression that there is more to come and it shouldn’t be forgotten that he was backed to beat both Whisper and Top Notch in top-class contests at the start of the year.
Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 4-9fav (11-3) Tracked leader, challenged 4 out, shaken after 3 out, ridden to lead before last, edged left and went clear flat, won at Exeter 2m 3f (3) gs in Mar beating Drumlee Sunset (11-3) by 11l, 3 ran.
Cloudy Dream (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) In rear, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, ridden to lead before last, headed run-in, kept on and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Flying Angel (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Flying Angel (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 5 out, ridden and headed before last, rallied to regain lead run-in, kept on gamely, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr beating Cloudy Dream (11-4) by 1l, 6 ran.
Oldgrangewood 4-1fav (11-3) Held up in last pair, mistake 5th, never involved, tailed off when went badly right 10th, pulled up before 12th, at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Theinval (FR) 15-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 8th, not fluent 3 out, 2nd 2 out, soon edged left, led but pressed before last, headed final 75 yards, held close home, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Double W's (11-1) at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
