mid-division, mistake and lost place 3rd, towards rear after, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th, tailed off 9th
mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders went 2nd 3 out, upsides last, ridden to lead run-in, driven out
towards rear most of way
held up in rear, headway chasing leaders going well before 3 out, 3rd and one pace from next, kept on run-in, not pace to challenge
hampered 1st, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after
held up in mid-division, closer 3 out, plugged on until weakened run-in
jumped right, led and went badly right 1st, headed 8th, chased leader until 3 out, chased leaders, weakened next
jumped right at times, chased leader, not fluent 8th, went right 2 out, went right again and joined last, headed and one pace run-in
behind, steady headway after 3 out, plugged on modest 4th run-in
NonRunner
NonRunner
Shareef Star travelled strongly and jumped well when making a winning debut at Worcester a week ago but this is a far more competitive affair and he does have a penalty to carry, though his stable is in cracking form and the six-year-old is set to take a steep climb in the ratings. Kilcara needs to rediscover his best form but Princess Midnight was a ready winner at Wincanton last month when ahead of Tanrudy and Hold Me Tight. ELIOS D’OR had every chance when falling at the last in that contest and, after just two runs over fences, there might be more to come from Robert Walford’s novice. En Coeur, Gaia Vallis, Episode and Special Buddy also warrant a mention.
Postman (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, no impression, 7th of 12, dist behind Getawaytonewbay (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Kilcara (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, hung left before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 17 1/4l behind Fact Flow (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Shareef Star 10-3fav (11-0) Tracked leader, travelled strongly behind leader 4 out, almost upsides 3 out, ridden to lead before last, drew clear flat, won at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in May beating Royal Plaza (10-12) by 11l, 10 ran.
En Coeur (FR) 11-5fav (10-11) Tracked leaders on inside, 2nd after 3 out, led next, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Right Hand Of God (11-12) by 7 1/2l, 6 ran.
Elios D'Or (FR) 9-1 (11-7) In rear, some headway 9th, stayed on strongly to chase leaders 2 out, in contention when fell last, at Wincanton 2m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Tanrudy (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Prominent, led narrowly 2nd, headed 5th (water), ridden and lost place after 4 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Princess Midnight (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Gaia Vallis (FR) 5-2fav (11-2) Led, wandered into 1st, jinked into 4th and headed briefly, soon led again, mistake and headed 5th, pushed along before 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 11, 22 3/4l behind Legendary Rhythm (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Princess Midnight 5-1 (10-6) Led narrowly, headed 2nd, led 5th (water), ridden before 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, narrow advantage last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Valseur Du Granval (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Special Buddy (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) With leader, led 7th, mistake 9th, headed 11th, no extra 2 out, 5th of 15, 29 1/4l behind One More Fleurie (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Hold Me Tight (IRE) 7-2jfav (10-8) Held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, well behind 2 out, stayed on from last, took 3rd close home but never dangerous, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Princess Midnight (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Episode (FR) 15-8fav (10-11) Held up in touch behind leaders, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Quiet Penny (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in May.
Glorious Boru (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Towards rear, midfield 6th, took closer order 4 out, ridden after 3 out, faded from 2 out, 5th of 7, 15 1/2l behind Diligent (12-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) gf in Apr.
