with leader 1st, tracked leaders, led approaching 7th, clear when hit 3 out, not fluent last 2, easily
held up, took keen hold, not always fluent, headway 4th, weakening when hit 3 out
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 5th, stayed on same pace after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression
mid-division, headway 3rd, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, ridden and lost place approaching 4th, behind 5th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, behind next, rallied approaching 3 out, went 2nd soon after, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace
led until before 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader after 1st until ridden 5th, soon weakened
held up, headway 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
Twentynineblack lost his way for Donald McCain last year and has now joined Ken Clutterbuck. He's best watched returning from a break while Cortinas looks to be on the decline and showed little inclination to race over fences at Ascot eight days ago, though takes a huge drop in class here. FRONT RANK also looks a light of former days but, on good ground, may still have a race like this in him and gets a tentative vote with Henry's Hero, not beaten far on the all-weather last month, a likely danger.
Freddy's Star (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) In rear, struggling before 4th, behind 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 10, 15l behind Mujamead (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Mar.
Twentynineblack (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, 25l behind Sky Calling (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Whispering Wind (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Bhnd til pu 12, in a race won by Up There (12-7) at Howick 3m ptp gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Monroe Park (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders on outside, mistake 3rd, lost place 2 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Kingsmere (10-10) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Cortinas (GER) 25-1 (10-0) Held up in last pair, pulled hard, blundered 14th, weakened 3 out, last of 6, 37l behind Knighton Combe (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.
Front Rank (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) Led to 4th, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Alba King (9-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Henry's Hero 100-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, led, clear after 3rd until approaching 5th, hit 6th, ridden and headed on long run after 2 out, weakened and blundered last, 7th of 13, 28l behind Marcus Antonius (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Mad Professor (IRE) 66-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Don't Panic (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Mar.
Simplified 150-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden after 6th, some headway when hit 3 out, no further progess, well held when mistake 2 out, 7th of 8, 32l behind Bin End (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
