held up in touch, slow 8th, chased leaders approaching 5 out, driven next, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, led 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, slow 9th, under pressure 12th, mistake 5 out, soon ridden and no impression
led, mistakes throughout, headed 4th, tracked leaders after, lost place before 10th, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance after last, hard ridden and stayed on strongly to lead post, all out
held up in rear, headway approaching 11th, chased leaders next, every chance 3 out, led after next, hard ridden when challenged approaching last, all out closing stages, headed post
held up towards rear but in touch, chased leaders after 4th, not fluent 4 out, led after next, headed before 2 out, rallying when mistake last, no extra closing stages
Most of these have questions to answer. Velator is probably being readied for another summer campaign while Bincombe and The Ould Lad are returning from their winter break. The former has scored around here, however, and is one of the more likely winners. Bob Tucker doesn't look badly treated on his best form and will handle conditions better than most but we'll take a chance that ASTIGOS is in the mood as he's only 2lb higher than when sluicing up at Wetherby in February. Kings Cross was third off a higher mark at Ascot in January but Hindon Road has shown little aptitude so far for chasing.
Velator 11-8fav (11-12) In rear and in touch, pushed along after 4th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, kept on and no impression, last of 4, 12 3/4l behind Chill Factor (11-9) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Bincombe 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closed after 3rd, stumbled and hampered 6th, left 3rd 4 out, ridden after 3 out, 4th and no extra from next, 4th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Lord Landen (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
The Ould Lad (IRE) 9-4fav (10-2) Mid-division, not fluent 15th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, pulled up soon after, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Astigos (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Always behind, 8th of 13, dist behind Portway Flyer (10-4) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Bob Tucker (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Led or disputed lead, blundered 10th, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Mystifiable (11-3) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Kings Cross (FR) 20-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 8th, plugged on from 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 23l behind Ballybolley (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Hindon Road (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 6 out, pushed along before 5 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Sunny Ledgend (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
