disputed lead until 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
in rear, not fluent 1st, struggling from 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, switched left after last, led last 75 yards, soon ridden, held on well
in touch in 4th, headway 2 out, challenged last, soon led, headed last 75 yards, no extra
disputed lead, led 2 out, ridden before last, headed run-in, kept on same pace
The Last Day won a maiden at Chepstow before finishing last of three in better company at Aintree but he steps up in trip today and may struggle to give 6lb to SAM’S GUNNER. Mick Easterby’s charge was closing down an odds-on favourite over track and trip on only his second start over timber and may well have won had he not made a crucial error at the second-last. Irish raider Scheu Time tackles hurdles for the first time but had some decent form in bumpers last year, though hasn’t raced since July. L'etoile may also need the experience while What's The Scoop has his first run for a new yard after a break and was chasing last term, though did show ability over hurdles in 2016.
The Last Day (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked winner until after 3 out, shaken up when not much room 2 out, soon switched right, ridden and beaten before last, weakened flat, last of 3, 14l behind Mont Des Avaloirs (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f (3) hvy in Dec.
L'etoile (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Close up, pushed along 4f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 14 3/4l behind Town Head (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (6) gd in Nov.
Sam's Gunner 20-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway before 2 out to chase leaders, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Hear No Evil (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Scheu Time (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Led, bumped under 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon no extra, 4th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Santiago de Cuba (11-7) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Jul.
What's The Scoop (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, challenged 5th, led 7th, not fluent 11th (water), headed next, mistake 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Casse Tete (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
