led, not fluent 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed towards finish
close up, ridden 2 out, headway to chase leader approaching next, driven and quickened to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along 5 out, ridden and weakened 3 out
always in rear, outpaced 4 out, tailed off
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
tracked leader, not fluent 6th, pushed along soon after 3 out, kept on same pace
Blakeney Point is visored for the first time having failed to take much interest here 10 days ago. However, he is 3lb lower and the champion jockey keeps faith with the nine-year-old despite having partnered Steinkraus to victory at Newcastle in March. Butler's Brief seeks back-to-back wins in this and arrives off the back of a more-encouraging third at Uttoxeter but we’ll take a chance on the fitness of LELANTOS as Nicky Henderson’s charge was making strides over this trip at the end of last year. The Vollan is preferred to Point Of Principle of the others.
Butler's Brief (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Held up in 5th on inside, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, rallied into modest 3rd last, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Eglantine Du Seuil (12-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Steinkraus (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) In rear, headway into mid-division after 6th, reminder after 7th, ridden and weakened well before 3 out, 11th of 14, dist behind An Tailliur (11-6) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Point Of Principle (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) In touch in mid-division, closed when not fluent 7th, lost place after 3 out, kept on again from last, 4th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Hyland (11-7) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Blakeney Point 10-1 (11-9) Behind, not fluent 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, no chance, 5th of 10, 21 1/2l behind Hurricane Ali (11-6) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
The Vollan (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up, reminders and outpaced well over 2 out, ran on after 2 out, took 4th closing stages, 4th of 10, 22l behind Hardy Boy (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Lelantos (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, joined next, ridden and jinked right approaching last, stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Tiny Tantrum (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
