in touch, chasing leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, challenging last, not pace of winner flat
mid-division, headway from 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led approaching last, went left at flight, soon headed, no extra towards finish
always prominent, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, regained lead just after flight, ran on, driven out
held up towards rear, steady headway on outside approaching 3 out, went close 4th before last, one pace flat
held up in touch, beaten 2 out, disputing 8th when fell last
held up well in rear, mistakes 1st and 2nd, still last and plenty to do 3 out, switched left and progress approaching last, never reached leaders
mid-division, mistake 1st, not much room on inside after 5th, soon weakened
raced keenly, led, headed before 2nd, regained lead 3rd, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon chasing leaders, beaten when mistake last
with leader, led before 2nd, headed 3rd, every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out, hampered last
took keen hold, held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway on inside 2 out, weakened approaching last, badly hampered at flight
held up in rear, good headway approaching 2 out, chasing leaders before last, soon one pace
held up towards rear, hit 2 out, headway approaching last, never reached leaders
prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
mid-division, mistake 1st, headway approacing 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, hampered after flight
Nonrunner
It may be worth taking a chance with DROMORE EXPRESS ahead of Supreme Duke and Baguenaud. The selection represents last year's winning trainer and looks handily weighted ahead of his handicap bow. He has yet to win a race in ten starts but he has shown glimpses of ability including on debut when a nine length second to Aran Concerto. He was also beaten under twenty lengths behind Fiveforthree in a maiden hurdle in February when in contention until around three out. He's been well held since but his pedigree suggests that this better ground could bring about some improvement and handicapping may turn out to be his forte. Font's presence in the line-up confuses matters as he was due to race yesterday so we'll ignore him for the purpose of this exercise in the absence of a crystal ball. This may be the best time to catch Motorway but he's a little hit and miss and Leamington Lad is probably a more reliable proposition but he was very poor last time. Spectait lost the plot after scoring on his hurdling bow and has shown little in two recent runs on the level but the yard is going well and he's well treated. Baguenaud is heading in the right direction and may still be a step ahead of the handicapper. He makes the short-list along with Supreme Duke who showed a good deal of ability last season despite appearing to need the time. He's had that now and is respected but the weight concession to Dromore Express may prove beyond him.
King's Revenge 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, outpaced approaching last, kept on flat, took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 19, 4 1/2l behind Katies Tuitor (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Motorway (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Chased leader to 2 out, weakened approaching last, 18th of 19, 21l behind Katies Tuitor (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Dishdasha (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Qrackers (10-6) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 5-4 (11-2) Held up in touch, effort 3 out, ridden and outpaced approaching next, stayed on same pace, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Tir Gra (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Mutual Friend (USA) 8-1 (10-6) Raced keenly, held up mid division, headway and effort 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, 11th of 16, 26l behind Katies Tuitor (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Supreme Duke (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered 2nd, ridden 2 out, left in lead last, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Woolcombe Folly (11-2) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Haar 9-4 (11-4) Close up, hit 5th, outpaced after 4 out, no chance when hit next, 4th of 9, 36l behind Shavansky (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Baguenaud (FR) 10-3fav (11-0) Held up in touch, lost fluent 4 out, went 2nd next, led 2 out, edged right and stayed on well flat, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Sept beating Regent's Secret (11-1) by 3l, 10 ran.
Prince du Beury (FR) 6-5fav (11-0) Raced keenly, in touch, smooth headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, soon one pace, 5th of 12, 22l behind Andrew Nick (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Jardin De Vienne (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, hit 4th, weakened next, 8th of 14, well behind Temple Place (11-6) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Wise Owl 12-1 (11-5) Prominent, led after 6th, ridden when headed 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 29l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Spectait 3-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 7, 34l behind Oh Crick (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Mango Catcher (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 7l behind Red Admiral (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Dodder Walk (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Towards rear, 9th and headway approaching 4 out, close up travelling well next, 3rd and ridden before last, 2nd and challenged run-in, stayed on well to lead near finish, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-109 gf in Oct '07 beating Hollow.
Irish Whispers (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Soon towards rear on outside, not fluent 4th, pushed along approaching 6th, last when mistake 7th, soon lost touch, 8th of 9, well behind Will The Till (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Dromore Express (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 2nd before 3 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 5th of 19, 20l behind Annagh Lady (11-4) at Tralee 2m 1f mdn hdl gd in May.
Font 9-2 (10-12) Held up, headway afater 3 out to track leader, shaken up to lead after next, ran on, won at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Sangfroid (10-7) by 5l, 5 ran.
