mid-division, raced keenly, headway approaching 3rd, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, close 3rd last, stayed on flat
chased leaders, hit 5th, weakened last
held up in rear, good headway approaching 2 out, led and quickened flat, ran on well
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, struggling 3 out, mistake 2 out
mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, blundered 4th, stayed on approaching last, never in contention
mid-division, ridden and dropped rear after 5th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
led, joined 2 out, ridden last, headed flat, no extra
pressed leader, hit 3rd, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up in touch, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, still every chance flat, stayed on, not pace of winner
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
MEDERMIT makes plenty of appeal as an each-way option at a double figure price and is preferred to this week's gambles Harry Tricker and Ronaldo Des Mottes. Similar weights have successfully being carried by Rooster Booster, Rigmarole, Sizing Europe and Detroit City in recent years and there's every reason to believe that Medermit is in that class. He may well have won the Supreme Novices' in March with a little more luck and is open to improvement in this sphere after just five starts for his current yard. His future lies over fences and he's viewed as a live Arkle candidate but he's been targeted at this valuable prize and can go close. Harry Tricker was thought to be well handicapped ahead of the Fred Winter but disappointed there and didn't really click until winning impressively at Sandown. He's well in under his penalty and is respected but opposable. Ronaldo Des Mottes was quite well fancied for the Fred Winter only to finish well beaten; he may well prove capable of better this term. James De Vassy is an exciting prospect for the future and has strengthened up but this demands plenty more from him and may come too soon in his career. Raise Your Heart was firmly put in his place in the County from a 9lb lower mark so excuses need to be made for that run but he has been on good form on the level lately. The lightly raced Tramp Stamp is improving and is consequently of interest whilst Gee Dee Nen has had just the one start for Gary Moore who took this prize last year and looks handily weighted. Salute Him has only finished in the frame once over obstacles when winning a handicap at Wexford and has plenty to prove but needs a market check along with Hearthstead Dream. We know what to expect from Medermit though and we expect him to go close.
Raise Your Heart (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Tracked leaders in moderate 4th, took closer order in 3rd after 4 out, led travelling best 2 out, shaken up to assert after last, not fully entended, won at Cork 2m 2f hdl sft in Aug beating Silver Jaro (11-2) by 5l, 8 ran.
Medermit (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, effort next, one pace and no impression when edged left approaching last, 5th of 14, 5l behind Noble Alan (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Gr2 (1) gd in Apr.
El Dancer (GER) 20-1 (10-13) Behind, headway after 7th, weakened after next, tailed off, 6th of 14, 50l behind Mr Thriller (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct.
Khyber Kim 16-1 (11-11) Held up behind, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, hung left and kept on flat, 5th of 24, 3 1/2l behind Joe Jo Star (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May.
Simarian (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, hit 4th, outpaced approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, rallied and went left last, staying on well towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Starluck (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Silverhand (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th before 2 out where not fluent, soon no impression under pressure, 6th of 8, 23l behind Berties Dream (11-4) at Galway 2m 4f hdl 0-140 hvy in Aug.
Culcabock (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) In touch, pushed along halfway, outpaced when hit 4 out, weakened next, 11th of 14, 23l behind Noble Alan (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Gr2 (1) gd in Apr.
European Dream (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up, headway after 3 out, stayed on well from last, took second towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Nampour (10-12) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Issaquah (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led 3rd to 4th, led 3 out, wandered flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 21, shd behind Culcabock (11-0) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl 4yo+ (2) gs in Apr.
Ronaldo Des Mottes (FR) 11-1 (11-0) In touch, raced keenly, jumped left and bumped 1st, beaten when blundered 2 out, weakened, 14th of 22, 39l behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (4yo) (1) gs in Mar.
Glenstal Abbey (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, 5th 2 out, soon ridden, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Donnas Palm (11-9) at Punchestown 2m Listed hdl in Oct.
James de Vassy (FR) 11-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct beating Classic Swain (10-11) by 4l, 9 ran.
Cockney Trucker (IRE) 2-1 (11-3) Tracking leading pair when blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by French Opera (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Harry Tricker 5-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon quickened, ran on well, won at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Zabeel Palace (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Hearthstead Dream 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 7th of 13, well behind Ninetieth Minute (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hdl hvy in Dec.
Secret Tune 9-2 (11-12) Held up, headway on outside approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Treaty Flyer (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Tramp Stamp (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd 2 out, soon led, ridden and headed entering straight, kept on same pace in 2nd from last, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Donnas Palm (11-9) at Punchestown 2m Listed hdl in Oct.
Gee Dee Nen 16-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed before last, unable to quicken flat, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Dani's Girl (9-9) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Salute Him (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 1st, always in rear, 6th of 8, 50l behind Little Bob (10-8) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in May.
