held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no extra
led 1f, tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, kept on to regain 2nd place close home
slowly away, behind, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous
in touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out until not much room and no extra towards finish
close up, led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, kept on and edged right towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
This is probably not a particularly strong finale and it may be a good opportunity for CAPONOVA to win for the first time away from Haydock – his yard won this last year. Richard Fahey had the winner in 2015 and Energia Fox has form here and arrives off the back of a recent victory at Newcastle. Storm King was just beaten when favourite last time at Southwell but steps up a couple of grades here. Kapstadt has a chance if translating his jumps form back to the Flat but this may be too sharp for the returning Al Destoor. Banish never figured at Doncaster but should strip fitter here.
Banish (USA) 15-2 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Fidaawy (9-6) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Kapstadt (FR) 33-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden and struggling after 2 out, 17th of 25, 15 1/2l behind Arctic Fire (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Caponova (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, switched wide 3f out, smooth headway soon after, led over 1f out, ran on, comfortable, won at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Apr beating Zain Arion (9-5) by 3l, 8 ran.
Energia Fox (BRZ) 5-2fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, closed over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp fll (5) pol in Feb beating Ms Gillard (8-8) by 1l, 8 ran.
Storm King 2-1fav (9-10) Soon led, joined over 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Star Of Lombardy (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Lord Franklin 66-1 (9-6) Raced wide, in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 15, 22 1/4l behind Red Tea (9-5) at Pontefract 1m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Outback Blue 12-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, eased when no chance final furlong, 15th of 16, 26 1/2l behind Perfect Quest (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Al Destoor 11-2 (10-13) In touch, every chance 3 out, one pace and beaten last, 5th of 13, 7l behind Eamon An Cnoic (11-10) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.