chased leaders, ridden in 3rd before hit 3 out, soon weakened
held up in close touch, headway chasing leaders 11th, led 4 out, narrow lead last, nudged along and always doing enough run-in, clever ride
chased leader, led 6th until 4 out, chased winner, pushed along before 3 out, still upsides last, kept on run-in, flattered by proximity to winner
held up last, struggling 17th, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, ridden and went 3rd 3 out, stayed on same pace
led until mistake and headed 6th, chased leaders, lost place 11th, pushed along after 15th, struggling next, pulled up before 3 out
Curraigflemens won on this card 12 months ago but is likely to find this company too hot. A good run earlier this evening from Can Mestret would boost confidence in Fakenham winner Strollawaynow but this is a much better race. A couple of below-par efforts temper confidence in WONDERFUL CHARM but Paul Nicholls’ stayer wouldn’t need to be at his absolute best to win this as Adrenalin Flight may be suffering from a lack of confidence and Al Co’s run at Cheltenham suggests he’s on a downward curve.
Curraigflemens (IRE) 4-6fav (12-5) (cp) led 4-6; ev ch til no ex flat, 2nd of 3, 1/2l behind Ardkilly Witness (12-0) at Horseheath 3m gd in Apr.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Always behind, 11th of 21, dist behind Balnaslow (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Al Co (FR) 7-2 (11-13) Mid-division, hit 13th, chased leaders 20th, ridden after 4 out, went modest 4th 2 out, never a threat (placed 3rd), 4th of 14, at Cheltenham 4m 1f (4) gd in May.
Strollawaynow (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Towards rear, headway to track leaders 6th, outpaced 4 out, ridden and headway 2 out, led next, ran on, won at Fakenham 3m (6) gd in May beating Can Mestret (12-0) by 10l, 9 ran.
Adrenalin Flight (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) (v) lost tch 13; pu 2 out, at Stafford Cross 3m gs in Apr.
Little Chip (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Led 4-9; v reluct to race bend aft 18; nt r.o, 4th of 5, 32 3/4l behind Templebraden (12-0) at Hackwood Park 3m gd in May.
