chased leaders, hit 4th, 2nd 3 out, challenged and every chance next, ridden between last 2, 1 length down last, no extra run-in
held up in last trio, steady headway approaching 4 out, went modest 3rd 2 out, ridden and one pace soon after
held up in last pair, never a factor, tailed off
made virtually all, joined 2 out, 1 length ahead last, stayed on to assert run-in
chased winner until 3 out, chased leaders, hung left and weakened between last 2
held up in last pair, mistake 3rd, plugged on into modest 4th approaching the last
held up in touch, slightly hampered 4th, headway chasing leaders soon after, hit 4 out, weakened soon after next
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened rapidly before 4 out, tailed off
It was good ground when DANCE IN THE DUST finished runner-up to Resolution Bay, rated 128, in a novice hurdle over track and trip. That looks strong enough form in this context and Jonjo O’Neill’s charge gets the nod on his handicap debut. Third Act and Bumble Bay have both struggled since winning last year but the former is only 2lb higher than when scoring at Exeter while Bobble Boru and Grams And Ounces have both slipped down the weights with the latter preferred on recent placed efforts, especially when third to Zulu Oscar over course and distance earlier in the month.
Third Act (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Took keen hold, soon settled tracked leading pair, 2nd at 7th until 3 out, ridden in well held 3rd when hit next, 3rd of 5, 13 1/2l behind Ashoka (11-10) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Dance In The Dust (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, went right and hit 2nd, pushed along when switched left approaching 4 out, left 3rd next, went 2nd between last 2, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Resolution Bay (11-5) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Bumble Bay 12-1 (11-1) In rear, headway before 3 out, plugged on and no real impression, 6th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Rocklander (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Billy My Boy 16-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, slightly hampered 1st, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, weakened soon after 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 15, 34 1/4l behind Zulu Oscar (12-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Bobble Boru (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Prominent, took keen hold, led 1st, not fluent and headed next, close up 4 out until 2 out, 5th and no extra last, 5th of 15, 12 3/4l behind Diamond Fort (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Grams And Ounces 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Anton Dolin (10-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Borak (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened well before last, 5th of 7, 26 1/4l behind Elysian Prince (10-13) at Stratford 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Orthodox Lad 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, challenged 3rd, blundered and lost place next, ran on flat, no impression, 5th of 12, 5l behind My Cousin Rachel (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
