mid-division, pushed along after 6th, headway next, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, went 2nd flat, never reached winner
mid-division, steady headway when fell 7th
led until approaching 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 7th, ridden to chase winner and mistake 3 out and next, lost 2nd flat, kept on towards finish
chased leader to 7th, weakened next
held up, headway after 7th, mistake 9th, soon weakened
hampered 7th, always towards rear
held up, some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
Broken Knights stayed well enough when winning over three miles at Bangor last time and, with a stronger pace here likely to suit, the Nicky Richards-trained gelding is taken to complete a hat-trick at the main expense of Mr Ed and Holland Park. The last mentioned is in the form of his life following up his Uttoxeter win with a smooth success at Aintree but a 10lb rise for that latest effort leaves the eight-year-old with more to do. Martin Pipe saddles no fewer than three runners with the presence of top weight Westender ensuring that five of the 13 runners have to race from out of the handicap. Westender tends to reserve his best form for Cheltenham and of more interest among Pipe's trio may be Quick, who showed his Aintree running behind Holland Park was all wrong when a creditable fourth behind Blue Business at Cheltenham last time. Very Optimistic has the ability to play a part in the finish but has given little sign of encouragement of late and Tony McCoy prefers Mr Ed, who is as consistent as they come and can be expected to run his usual good race. Broken Knights looks a progressive performer though and should have the race run to suit.
Westender (FR) 7-1 Led, soon clear, tried to refuse and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Monet's Garden at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr, 9 ran.
Mr Ed (IRE) 14-1 Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after next, chased winner after last, ran on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Monet's Garden at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 16-1 Mid-division, headway 5th, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed and not quicken close home, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Nonantais at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Apr.
Quick 16-1 Led clear, blundered 6th, not fluent 8th, reduced advantage before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon lost place, stayed on flat, 4th of 12, 14l behind Blue Business at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Apr.
Holland Park (IRE) 10-1 Chased leaders, led and hit 7th, ridden after 3 out, challenged when hit last, ran on strongly flat, won at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr beating Celtic Son by 9l, 22 ran.
Mr Cool 40-1 Led, clear until well before 4th, driven 3 out, headed well before 2 out, weakened rapidly, 14th of 17, 48l behind Yes Sir at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Apr.
Very Optimistic (IRE) 11-2 Alwys behind, 15th of 18, well behind Nonantais at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Apr.
Champagne Harry 66-1 Held up mid-division, ridden and headway after 4 out, weakened next, 8th of 22, 49l behind Holland Park at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr.
Broken Knights (IRE) 9-2 Held up, headway 7th, mistake 2 out, hard ridden to lead last, driven out, won at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) sft in Apr beating Will Of The People by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ardashir (FR) 40-1 Behind from 7th, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Blue Business at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Apr.
Mythical King (IRE) 25-1 Always towards rear, 10th of 18, well behind Nonantais at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Apr.
The Persuader (IRE) 4-1fav Tracked leaders racing keenly, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Apr beating Jockser by 2l, 13 ran.
Back To Ben Alder (IRE) 20-1 Behind, ridden and some headway after 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 22, 32l behind Holland Park at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr.
