mid-division, steady headway after 5 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led between last 2, pushed clear from last, very easily
soon mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next
always towards rear, ridden after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next
raced keenly, with leader, led narrowly after 2nd, headed 3 out, driven and lost place before next, no impression after, weakened and lost place closing stages
mid-division on inside, lost place 9th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up after next
mid-division, mistake and lost place 3rd, behind from 5th, headway before 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, never reached leaders
behind, ridden after 3 out, never a threat, tailed off
always behind, reminders after 7th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
led to after 2nd, with leader, led again 3 out, headed between last 2, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner from last
towards rear, headway on outside after 9th, blundered 5 out and again next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace before next, stayed on to take 4th towards finish, no impression
tracked leaders, effort after 3 out, outpaced before next, 6th and beaten when mistake last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, driven 4 out, ridden after 2 out, went 3rd at last, kept on flat, no imrpession
tracked leaders, driven after 4 out, weakened after next
MONSIEUR GIBRALTAR was in the process of running a good race at Ascot when unseating his rider. He’s won five times under Rules, including over this trip at Taunton last year, and is the one to beat despite conceding weight all round. Sam Cavallaro won this in 2105 and 2016 and was second last year so has probably been aimed at the race again. He deserves respect and Old Pride has been in good form over slightly longer trips between the flags. Loughaderra Prince caught the eye on his first run for Tom George at Hereford and is another to consider.
Monsieur Gibraltar (FR) 13-8fav (12-6) In touch, not fluent 3rd, headway chasing leaders ridden approaching 12th, close 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 4 out, at Ascot 2m 5f fll (5) sft in Mar.
Mantou (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Prominent, baulked 1st, led 5th, clear before last, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f (6) gd in Apr beating Shantou Prince (11-12) by 8l, 11 ran.
Azure Glamour (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) (tt) hdwy 7; prsd wnr 11-14; wknd qckly 4 out; t.o & pu 2 out, at Badbury Rings 3m in Apr.
Brave Jaq (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Raced freely and tore off in clear lead, reduced lead 9th, headed 13th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Stratford 2m 7f (5) gs in Apr.
Champione (IRE) 7-4fav (12-0) (tt) a.p; led 9; drew clr 14; all out, won at Howick 3m hvy in Feb beating Double You Be (12-0) by nk, 6 ran.
Curragh Hall (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Soon in touch, close up 12th, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 11, 33l behind Mantou (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (6) gd in Apr.
Dido 2-1 (12-0) A.p; led 14; in comm 2 out, won at Fakenham 3m gd in Apr beating Virgo The First (12-0) by 4l, 5 ran.
Extreme Appeal (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) Held up; gd prog to ld last; r.o wl, won at Hexham 2m 4f hvy in Apr beating Roderick Random (12-0) by 20l, 4 ran.
Guiting Power 10-1 (12-0) (cp) jmpd rt; chsd ldrs; lft 2nd 7; wknd 4 out; poor 3rd when fell last, at Knightwick 3m gd in Apr.
Loughaderra Prince (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led 2nd until after 4th, chased clear leader, closed and every chance 3 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair but no chance, weakened run-in, 5th of 12, 19l behind Shotavodka (12-6) at Hereford 2m 5f (5) sft in Jan.
Mr Sawyer 12-1 (11-7) In tch to 12; pu 15, at Badbury Rings 3m in Apr.
Old Pride (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) (h) made all; r.o wl, won at Brampton Bryan 2m 4f in Apr beating Jimmy The Jetplane (12-7) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sadma 40-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up 11th, at Exeter 2m 3f (6) hvy in Apr.
Sam Cavallaro (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) (cp) hdwy 10; one pce 2 out, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Best Director (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 2m 4f in Apr.
Swallowshide 50-1 (11-10) Raced in 4th, soon well off the pace, 30 lengths 3rd 13th, went 2nd before 2 out, closed but lost 2nd on last bend, weakened last, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 17 3/4l behind Abricot De L'Oasis (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f (5) gs in Apr.
