held up and behind, reminders after 9th, steady headway from 4 out, plugged on
chased leaders, weakened before blundered badly 2 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, plugged on from 3 out, never threatened
always towards rear, reminders and struggling after 9th, never a factor, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after next
never fluent and never better than mid-division, behind from 6th, never on terms after
never better than mid-division, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, plugged on from after 2 out, modest 4th when blundered last, went 3rd near finish
chased leaders, pushed along 12th, weakened from 4 out
made virtually all, clear before 4 out, stayed on strongly
always in rear, reminders and already struggling 4th, tailed off when went right 8th and next, pulled up soon after
chased leaders early, ridden and struggling in mid-division before 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
chased pushed along and one pace in 3rd from 3 out, dropped to 4th close home
chased winner throughout, led briefly after 2nd, no chance from 4 out, plugged on
DONAPOLLO won off a higher mark over course and distance in 2015 and showed he retained some ability when a close third at Musselburgh in December. He hasn’t raced since but must have a chance in a race like this if fully wound-up. Captain Sharpe went close at Sedgefield last month, when ahead of Nelly La Rue and What A Game, and looks the pick of Kenny Johnson’s three runners. Touch Of Steel is having only his second start over fences and has won twice here over hurdles so can’t be ignored.
Touch Of Steel (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and behind from 4 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Onwiththeparty (11-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Donapollo 13-2 (11-0) In touch, outpaced 10th, kept on well from last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Proud Gamble (11-4) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
French Seventyfive 11-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, hard driven 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 13, 37 3/4l behind Bankhall (11-5) at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
What A Game (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Chased leader until 13th, ridden before 15th, lost place 17th, weakened 3 out, last of 6, 20l behind Sweet Belle (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Moscow Menace (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Mid-division, pushed along before 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, dist behind No Such Number (10-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May.
Rhythm Of Sound (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, weakened before 10th, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Kanturk Bank (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Captain Sharpe 10-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 15th, went 2nd after 2 out, closed last, stayed on but winner only pushed out to win, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Sweet Belle (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Longueville Flier (IRE) 18-1 (10-10) Led to 2nd, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 16, dist behind Apache Pilot (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Nelly La Rue (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Led, headed 3 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Sweet Belle (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Lilly's Legend 16-1 (10-6) In touch, outpaced from 3 out, 7th of 16, 29l behind Apache Pilot (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Top Cat Dj (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Toreador (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Led, headed before 4 out, soon one pace, 5th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Benefit In Kind (10-1) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Notonebuttwo (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) In touch on outer, lost place after 5th, soon behind, no danger after, tailed off, 14th of 15, dist behind Late Date (11-5) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Coolanure (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Led, headed before 6 out, outpaced from 4 out and soon struggling, rallied from 2 out, plugged on to take 3rd place run-in, 3rd of 6, 25 1/4l behind Sheneededtherun (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
