tracked leaders, led 8th and increased pace, ridden and headed 3 out, soon left behind by front pair, plugged on for distant third
towards rear, ridden before 4 out, lost touch 3 out
mid-division, headway into third before 4 out, pressed leader after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner
rear mid-division, ridden 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon beaten
prominent, led 3 out going well, soon pressed and pushed along before 2 out, went clear before last, kept on well
led, tracked leader 8th, lost place and ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
towards rear, mistakes and reminders early, pushed along in last with a circuit to go, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, fell 2 out
There are plenty of strong stayers in this but most are probably better known as chasers nowadays. That list includes Cyclop, Ramses De Teillee and Crossley Tender but the latter is potentially well treated. BLACKJACK KENTUCKY beat a good yardstick in Spiritofthegames at Chepstow in February and doesn’t have many miles on the clock for his age. He might just get the better of Ballymillsy who was still in front when falling at the last at Worcester on his final outing last season and will have no problem with either ground or trip.
Ramses De Teillee (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, beaten 3 out, weakened flat, 9th of 20, 11 3/4l behind Time To Get Up (10-10) at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
Tobefair 13-2 (11-12) Raced in 3rd, dropped to last over 4 out, pushed along under 4 out, dropped away quickly under 3 out, last of 4, dist behind Ballyegan Hero (10-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Blackjack Kentucky (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb beating Spiritofthegames (11-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Point Of Principle (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Chased leaders out wide, jumped slowly 1st, mistake and lost place 7th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Ballymillsy 13-8fav (11-7) Prominent, led after 3rd, ridden after 4 out, joined when fell last, at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Apr.
Cyclop (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Midfield, hit 4 out, left in third 2 out, ridden and went second at last, kept on strongly final 110yds, led close home, won at Perth 3m 7f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Mance Rayder (10-9) by 1l, 13 ran.
Just A Sting (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, went 2nd 10th until before 12th, struggling 14th, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Red Infantry (10-2) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Crossley Tender 9-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 15th, some late minor headway, never on terms, 6th of 11, 15l behind Innisfree Lad (11-2) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Hogan's Height (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Towards rear, last 22nd (bechers 2nd time), always behind, 12th of 40, dist behind Minella Times (10-3) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
