mid-division, ridden and headway before last, kept on same pace
tracked leader, until 5 out, ridden before last, soon chased winner, no impression
tracked leaders, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, weakened quickly last
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, led 2 out, ridden and clear before last, kept on well
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on from last
soon towards rear, pushed along before 6th, weakened next, tailed off
towards rear, headway after 5th to chase leaders, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, reminder and flashed tail 4th, tailed off 6th, pulled up before 2 out
led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
Astaroland was raised 5lb for winning at Sedgefield but was in the process of running a big race at Market Rasen before a bad mistake at the second last put paid to his chances. Separate Shadows struggled at the weights after his victory in 2013 but is gradually coming down and has shown more sparkle recently. INDEPUB likes it around here and has a course and distance victory to his credit. He's now on the same mark as his last victory and can go in again. Brunello has been in good form over fences and reverts to hurdles on the same mark so can go close under regular pilot Adam Nicol.
Astaroland (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, soon tracked leaders in 4th, every chance before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Whatsupjack (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Separate Shadows (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Chased winner, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Classical Art (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Apr.
Prince Of Pirates (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to chase leaders next, weakened last, 5th of 11, 35l behind Tiger O'Toole (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
Tara Mac 8-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside before 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 17, 25l behind Five O'clock Tea (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Apr.
Brunello 12-1 (11-9) Prominent, led when mistake 4th, headed 10th, every chance 2 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 13, 15l behind My Friend George (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.
Parles Pond (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, 47l behind Gingili (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Indepub 8-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied after next, chased leaders 2 out, mistake last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Tiger O'Toole (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
Caraline (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Always in rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 33l behind Quiet Candid (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Agesilas (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up behind, reminders after 5th, weakened from 7th, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Whichwaytobougie (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Mar.
Mrs Grass 25-1 (9-9) Behind, weakened before 6th, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Danceintothelight (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in Apr.
