held up in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, one pace
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened after last
towards rear, effort after 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, driven along 4th, outpaced from 3 out, never dangerous
with leaders, weakening quickly when approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, driven along 4th, lost pace next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
with leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, held on well
held up in rear, headway 4th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on
Nonrunner
Merryvale Man is the pick to beat Theatre Tinka, Dalriath and Comical Errors, with Dance World worth a small mention. At the age of nine, there is not too much improvement in Merryvale Man that is for sure, but Kariana Key's charge put in a most pleasing performance at Towcester six days ago, pulling right away from his rivals up the hill, and should be capable of defying a 7lb rise on that effort. Out of his depth when pulled up on fast ground in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock the time before, he will revel in the conditions and should prove hard to beat. Dalriath won well enough at Fakenham last time but that was over further and he makes less appeal, while Comical Errors was only a poor third at Bangor and will need to step up considerably to trouble the selection. Dance World looked one to follow when landing a Fakenham maiden in January but was pulled up lame at the Norfolk track in March and has been off since. A watching brief is advised, especially as he has topweight, with preference for Merryvale Man.
Dance World 85-40jt-fav (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened next, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dhehdaah (11-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Merryvale Man 16-1 (11-4) In touch, led 3 out, ridden clear last, ran on, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Najca De Thaix (11-6) by 13l, 14 ran.
Comical Errors (USA) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, lost place 6th, took poor 3rd flat, 3rd of 11, 28l behind Lord Henry (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Beau Torero (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Disputed lead, ridden 6th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Silvo (10-12) at Fakenham 2m sll hdl (5) gf, 13 ran.
Theatre Tinka (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Behind, ridden and headway when hampered 3 out, ran on flat, 4th of 10, 9l behind Political Intrigue (10-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Apr.
No Commission (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 4th, soon behind, 12th of 15, 46l behind Parsley's Return (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up and raced wide, ridden after 6th, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 18l behind Donie Dooley (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Dalriath 14-1 (11-3) Keen, held up in last place, headway, hit 7th, led soon after 2 out, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf beating Blackcomb Mountain (10-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
