raced keen in mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly
in touch, every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 4f out, led over 2 to over 1f out, kept on
led, headed over 2f out, weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3f out, faded final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, kept on one pace final 2f
in touch, effort 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, weakened 4f out
in touch, ridden and weakened 4f out
A wide open bumper rounds of the card and as usual in these types of events the market will be all important but the principals look to be Malt de Vergy, First Cry and Mulligan's Pride and the vote is given to the last named. The selection hails from a yard that does well in these types of events is a well bred sort and is taken to make a winning debut. Malt de Vergy rates the main danger as he won well last timeout when beating Its Bertie but he has a penalty for that win and for that reason he is opposed. First Cry is another well bred sort that catches the eye on breeding and is another to note in the market. Of the remainder Meda's Song has shown a modicum of ability in two runs to date and is another with place claims but in a race where the market will be all important for the winner we return to Mulligan's Pride.
Malt de Vergy (FR) 5-6fav (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 6f out, joined leaders over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb beating It's Bertie (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Held up, headway halfway, stayed on final 2f, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Etched In Stone (11-4) at Perth 2m nhf (H) gf.
First Cry (IRE) Topanoora gelding out of winning bumper Open Cry.
Tongariro Crossing (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) refused in race won by Stray Raven (12-5) at Corbridge 3m ptp gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Exit To Saumur (FR) Exit To Nowhere gelding, half-brother to flat and hurdles winner Jorobaden.
Mulligan's Pride (IRE) Kahyasi gelding out of an unraced mare.
Torgiano (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Always behind, 8th of 15, 18l behind Rasharrow (11-11) at Ayr 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr.
Meda's Song 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 6f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f, 4th of 9, 2l behind Arctic Moss (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m mrs nhf (H) gf in Feb.
