led until 3rd, stayed handy until ridden and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, soon ridden, close 3rd last, one pace and no impression flat
held up, headway before 3 out, hampered on inside after 2 out, went 2nd before last, stayed on flat, just held
tracked leaders, wandered into 1st, pushed along and lost place 4th, weakened after next, tailed off
with leader, led 3rd, not fluent last, driven flat, held on
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden after 3 out, 4th and beaten next, weakened last
held up, outpaced 3 out, soon left behind, went modest 4th flat final 150 yards
mistakes early, always well behind, tailed off
Nonrunner
Cafe Au Lait offers useful form but has started to look a weak finisher and it will be fascinating to see how he's ridden on this idiosyncratic track with it's lengthy run-in. Gold Chain, driven out to score here on Saturday evening, should get involved again if not affected by those exertions, whilst Never Never has solid claims and should find a small novice hurdle at some stage during the summer for Donald McCain. El Massivo hasn't shown much on the Flat recently but was in the process of running a fine race on his hurdling debut when falling at the last. He's potentially interesting for the Ellison team but SUNBLAZER receives the vote. A consistent handicapper on the level for William Muir, he was beaten less than a length in a three-way finish at Ludlow on only his second hurdling outing and looks on the upgrade.
Boruma (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) In rear, headway before 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 10, 42l behind Refer (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Cafe Au Lait (GER) 6-4fav (10-3) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, one pace and beaten next, 4th of 7, 16l behind Izzini (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
El Massivo (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, chased winner before and staying on when fell last, in a race won by Yorkist (11-5) at Catterick 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Moaning Butcher 50-1 (10-7) Reminders leaving start, in touch on outside, closed 11f out, ridden and lost place 5f out, weakened 4f out, tailed off, 6th of 11, 48l behind Gogeo (11-2) at Southwell 2m 2f NH flat (4) std in Feb.
Never Never (IRE) 7-4 (10-10) Tracked leader, led 4 out, hit 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace flat, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Handmaid (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gd.
Sunblazer (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Prominent, led 2 out, driven and headed flat, held close home, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Mandy's Boy (10-10) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Woodstock (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Held up towards rear, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 8, well behind Degooch (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
State The Blend 20-1 (10-5) Held up in touch in rear, shaken up 4f out, edged left and well beaten over 2f out, 5th of 6, 17l behind Taj Badalandabad (10-12) at Ffos Las 1m 6f NH flat (6) gs.
Gold Chain (IRE) 10-3 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 5th, tracked leading pair after 2 out, led after last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Cartmel 2m 1f mrs nov sll hdl (5) gf beating Goldie Horn (10-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
