towards rear, slow 4 out, awkward 3 out, ridden before 2 out, never a factor
in rear, pushed after 3 out, stayed on one pace
led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
close-up, asked to quicken after 3 out, chased leader 2 out, kept on gamely
towards rear, pushed after 3 out, stayed on strongly, never nearer
mid-division, switched left and pushed approaching 2 out, could not quicken
tracked leader, nudged to lead after 3 out, joined last and soon headed, gamely chased home winner
prominent, hit 8th, pushed after 3 out, stayed on without threatening
midfield, asked to quicken after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, ridden to lead last, powered clear
in rear, slight progress after 4 out, ridden to challenge before 2 out, could not quicken
mid-division, niggled after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, made no impression
Presence Felt placed in soft going at Carlisle at the end of last year while Townshend arrived at Cheltenham in good form back in March but struggled in a Grade 3 contest. Mighty Thunder went close at Musselburgh in February and I'd Better Go Now scored at Doncaster in March for which he’s been raised 10lb. WESTERN RULES has gone up 2lb after missing out by only a neck at Southwell last month but Nicky Richards’ charge looks capable of winning off today’s mark on that evidence and gets the vote.
Townshend (GER) 40-1 (10-9) Towards rear on outside, headway 11th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Justatenner 28-1 (11-12) Behind, headway 3 out, not fluent last, went 3rd towards finish, stayed on, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Yes No Maybe So (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Mighty Thunder 22-1 (10-6) Led, clear at times, driven before last, stayed on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Highland Hunter (10-7) at Musselburgh 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Teescomponents Lad 13-8fav (11-11) Tracked leader to after 5th, close up in 3rd, driven to lead narrowly turning in, headed 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with easy winner between last 2, plugged on, 2nd of 5, 18l behind Captain Zebo (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Taxmeifyoucan (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Held up in 4th, behind and pushed along after 6th, ridden after 3 out, plugged on to take remote 3rd closing stages, no chance with leaders, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Captain Zebo (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Special Prep (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair final furlong, 3rd of 11, 6 3/4l behind All Hail Caesar (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) Slow in Feb.
Jack Devine (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 12, dist behind Enniscoffey Oscar (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Western Rules (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 3 out, nudged along and given reminder after 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out, went second run-in but held by winner, 2nd of 7, nk behind Yes No Maybe So (10-8) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
I'd Better Go Now (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Waited with in rear, headway tracking leaders approaching 4 out, led on bit 2 out, good jump last, soon clear, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Tango Boy (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
Hasankey (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Towards rear, mistake 4th, not fluent 5th or 3 out, effort 2 out, chasing leaders before last, no impression flat, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Lough Derg Jewel (12-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Presence Felt (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, led before 8th, ridden between last 2, stayed on when hard pressed flat, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Taxmeifyoucan (11-4) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
