held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, every chance next, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, lost place 3 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, effort 3 out, soon lost place
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
led until 7th, remained prominent, mistake 3 out, every chance next, faded run in
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led 2 out, drew clear last, stayed on strongly
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5 out, outpaced 3 out, ran on closing stages, never a threat
prominent, led 7th, headed when outpaced 2 out, kept on well under pressure towards finish
held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace closing stages
chased leaders, slow 2nd, weakend before 2 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
Desert Cry has won three times here, including once over the distance, but looked to be back in the handicapper’s grip last time at Aintree. Dominada has been consistent this season but this is a significant step up in distance and Boite’s stamina will also come under scrutiny. The Dutchman has been chasing and Connetable doesn’t arrive in the best of form while Hollies Pearl has an absence to overcome but Kalondra did win at Huntingdon before finishing 10th in the Coral Cup and is not without a chance. Dan Skelton has won this with well-backed, up-and-coming novices in the last two years so WHATDUHAVTOGET (NAP) looks the one to be on. Upped to this trip last time at Ludlow, he pulled well clear in the closing stages and looks a step ahead of the handicapper.
Kalondra (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders before last, never on terms, 10th of 25, 10l behind Supasundae (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Desert Cry (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, 13th of 22, 37 3/4l behind Fountains Windfall (10-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Gibralfaro (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Mid-division, fell 2nd, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Connetable (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 6th, tailed off, 13th of 16, 36 1/4l behind Air Horse One (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
The Dutchman (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, switched right and chased winner before last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Ash Park (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f (4) gd in Mar.
Gilt Shadow (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Towards rear, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Boite (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 19th of 25, 32 1/2l behind Arctic Fire (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Dominada (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 11 1/4l behind Applesandpierres (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Whatduhavtoget (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader until before 2nd, 2nd again on last bend, mistake when challenging 3 out, led next, clear from last, ran on and pushed right out to the line, won at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar beating Taws (10-12) by 16l, 6 ran.
Hollies Pearl 8-15fav (11-6) Not always fluent, made all, joined 2 out, strongly pressed run-in, stayed on gamely to assert final 100 yards, won at Haydock 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar beating Mardale (11-6) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Call The Cops (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Held up in mid-division, driven after 4 out, weakened before next, 8th of 13, 29 1/4l behind Fortunate George (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Beer Goggles (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up, towards rear when hampered 3rd, headway 8th, 2nd going well before omitted 3 out, mistake 2 out, led last, stayed on well, clear inside final 100 yards, won at Newbury 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar beating First Fandango (11-2) by 6l, 12 ran.
