close up, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened run in
in touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, ridden and stayed on one pace
towards rear, ridden 3 out, headway next, stayed on to go 4th, run in
in touch, pushed along and lost place 5 out
in rear, tailed off when pulled up 7th
in rear, pushed along and weakened 3 out
prominent, led 3 out, ridden and ran on
keen led, headed 4th, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
held up, headway to chase leaders when hit 2 out, ridden and weakened run in
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, pushed along and weakened 3 out
in touch, headway and close up 7th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, stayed on one pace
Hurricane Harvey and Espoir De Romay were both well behind Hyland at Cheltenham earlier this month but the latter did enjoy a fitness advantage that day and both are 7lb better off at the weights. Gentleman At Arms got back to winning ways at Aintree and Hoe Joly Smoke and Ed Keeper are relatively unexposed compared to the majority of these. Dan Skelton’s gelding is making his handicap debut while the latter has only run four times and has yet to finish out of the frame. A drop in trip proved no problem for RAMO at Ludlow and he looks a very progressive stayer who is probably still a step ahead of the handicapper.
Simply The Betts (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake and unseated rider 3rd, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Espoir De Romay (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Off the pace and always towards rear, 11th of 20, dist behind Hyland (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Hyland (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led run-in, ridden clear, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Judicial Law (11-2) by 2l, 20 ran.
Hurricane Harvey 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 20, 18 1/4l behind Hyland (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Gentleman At Arms (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Mid-division, went 3rd 3 out, pressed leader omitted 2 out, pushed along omitted last and led narrowly, ridden run-in and forged ahead closing stages (two hurdles in straight omitted due to low sun), won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Iwilldoit (11-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Regal Blue (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Prominent, led 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 29 1/4l behind Giovinco (11-2) at Perth 3m lst (1) gs in Apr.
Iceo Madrik (FR) 15-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, hit 11th and pushed along, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Ed Keeper (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Chased winner throughout, staying on same pace and held when carried slightly left by winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Rebel Intentions (10-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Ramo (FR) 4-1jfav (11-12) Made all, pushed along 3 out, not fluent last, ridden and ran on, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Midnightreflection (12-1) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
Rambo T (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Towards rear, took closer order 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on to go third flat, 3rd of 16, 5 1/4l behind Pinnacle Peak (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Skandiburg (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders on inside, jumped big 1st, pushed along before 7th, outpaced 4 out, plugged on into remote 3rd run-in, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 10, 17 1/4l behind On The Blind Side (11-11) at Newbury 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Hoe Joly Smoke 10-3 (11-4) Mid-division, some headway chasing leaders when not fluent 3 out, plugged on in remote 3rd at the last, 3rd of 16, 7 3/4l behind Masaccio (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
