held up in touch, left 3rd 6 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, kept on and held run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake and unseated rider 6 out
led early, tracked leader, led after 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon hard pressed, kept on gamely run-in
in rear, ridden and lost place after 4 out
soon led, headed after 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out
Craigmor has won both starts this year, though only one of those was over fences. He’s only gone up 4lb but 3m has proved problematic in the past and Richard Johnson’s mount is taken on with VENDREDI TROIS, who is certainly overdue a third victory over the larger obstacles and has trip and ground to suit. Air De Rock and Well Smitten will have stamina to prove but Return Flight has placed form over course and distance, though has been below his best lately.
Vendredi Trois (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Held up, headway to case leaders after 4 out, effort 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Aubusson (12-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Air De Rock (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Led to after 1st, tracked leader, lost place 10th, headway to dispute lead after next, driven when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Craigmor (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) With leader, led 3 out, driven clear when wandered and not fluent next, ridden and edged both ways between last 2, pushed out, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gf in May beating Southfield Torr (11-4) by 7l, 4 ran.
Well Smitten (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed after 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 3, 6l behind Goodthyneaway (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Return Flight 8-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 5th, under pressure 4 out, left in modest 3rd at last, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Welcome Ben (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
