held up in rear, headway and hung left approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no extra towards finish
mid-division, lost place after 5th, kept on approaching last, never dangerous
keen, chased leaders and mistakes, ridden after 5th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
led, ridden and hit 3 out, headed before next, weakened last
held up, fell 5th
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on flat
towards rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on well
always behind
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to go 2nd and jumped right last, stayed on same pace
The 11-year-old Rooster Booster bounced back to form when winning at Sandown last month and has to be respected but faces no easy task giving 13lbs to the progressive Genghis and Peter Bowen's gelding gets the verdict with Coat of Honour rated the best of the remainder. The selection has won his last four starts and has gone up 42lbs in the process but the son of Persian Bold looks one to keep on the right side of and is taken to complete a five timer. Royal Shakespeare was travelling well when falling behind Rooster Booster at Sandown and has to be respected if none the worse for that tumble, while Fontanesi has been facing an unequal battle against the handicapper since his County Hurdle success. Stance, who finished second in that race at Cheltenham, is another that cannot be ruled out although of more interest may be Howard Johnson's Coat Of Honour, who is less exposed than many of these and is potentially well treated. Genghis has done little wrong of late though and is taken to continue winning ways.
Rooster Booster 5-1 Raced keenly, held up, smooth headway after 3 out, challenging when left in lead 2 out, quickened clear flat, won at Sandown 2m hdl (B) gd in Apr beating Self Defense by 4l, 9 ran.
Perouse 8-1 Held up in touch, effort and stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd last, kept on flat, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Rooster Booster at Sandown 2m hdl (B) gd in Apr.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 4-1 Tracked leaders, effort and narrow leader when fell 2 out in race won by Rooster Booster at Sandown 2m hdl (B) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Genghis (IRE) 5-2fav Led to 3rd, remained close up, led again after 4 out, quickened pace approaching next, clear from 2 out, ran on, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr beating Royal Shakespeare by 4l, 13 ran.
Fontanesi (IRE) 20-1 Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, stayed on next, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Yes Sir at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Apr.
Crossbow Creek 16-1 Held up, headway 6th, ridden after 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 18, 9l behind Definate Spectacle at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Apr.
Penny Pictures (IRE) 11-1 Held up mid-division, good headway before 2 out, chased winner last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Yes Sir at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Apr.
Coat of Honour (USA) 11-8fav Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, stayed on to chase winner flat, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Cornish Sett at Ayr 2m nov hdl (B) gd in Apr.
Torrid Kentavr (USA) 33-1 Never on terms, 16th of 30, 25l behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Cherub (GER) 6-4 Chased clear leader after 2nd, led approaching 5th, ridden 2 out, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Arrayou at Worcester 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Definate Spectacle (IRE) 9-2fav Rear of mid-division, progress 3 out, 4th next, soon weakened, 18th of 25, 10l behind Stutter at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl sft in Apr.
Stance 12-1 Never better than mid-division, 9th of 18, 24l behind Definate Spectacle at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Apr.
Nawamees (IRE) 40-1 Mid-division until weakened 5th, 28th of 30, well behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
