mid-division, dropped to rear 7th, soon struggling, tailed off 9th, pulled up 3 out
towards rear, jumped big 1st, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge and led last, joined flat, ran on well, just held on
mid-division, niggled along before 3 out, soon beaten, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, disputed lead after 8th, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on one pace flat
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, faded approaching 2 out
disputed lead, headed 8th, lost place and weakened quickly 9th, soon ridden, pulled up before 2 out
held up, made some headway from 2 out, never dangerous
towards rear, not fluent 5th, soon ridden, struggling from 7th, tailed off next
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out
midfield, headway to go third 3 out, lost third 2 out, ridden approaching last, plugged on one pace flat
disputed lead, led 7th, joined after 8th, ridden and led outright approaching 2 out, wandered left approaching last, headed last, rallied well flat, just held
A competitive renewal of the day’s feature. Dan Skelton puts up a 7lb claimer on Shannon Bridge, who was in cracking form at the start of the year. Commanche Red won over course and distance in April and is only 2lb higher but was behind Breaking Waves at Market Rasen later. Bard Of Brittany goes well fresh and won here in May while Debestyman was second off this mark at Cheltenham just over a year ago but Grangeclare Glory steps out of novice company, as does Franco D'aunou. The Bomber Liston has only raced in maiden company so far but could be anything. HELL RED was always struggling to go the pace over 2m on his reappearance at Chepstow so is well worth a try over this extra half-mile. His yard won this last year so the four-year-old gets the nod with Raf Tavel returning from a break.
Shannon Bridge (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Made all, clear 3 out, reduced lead next, joined and strongly pressed run-in, rallied under pressure to assert final 110 yards, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb beating Thibault (10-0) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
Champagne Well (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2 out, pulled up, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Raf Tavel (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in 5th, mistake 1st, closed 5th, went 3rd 2 out, no impression on winner from last, kept on, 3rd of 11, 4 3/4l behind On To Victory (11-7) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Commanche Red (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Soon led, pushed along when not fluent 6th, driven after 3 out, headed before 2 out, no extra last, 5th of 11, 24l behind Fair Mountain (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in May.
Bard Of Brittany 5-2 (11-4) Midfield, dropped to rear before 6th, not fluent 9th, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, led after last, stayed on flat, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May beating Story Of Friends (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Hell Red (FR) 5-2fav (11-5) Held up in mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 20l behind Progressive (10-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
West To The Bridge (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Always in rear, never a factor, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Haddex Des Obeaux (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Breaking Waves (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden and headway to chase leaders 2 out, kept on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 7, 9 1/2l behind Martello Sky (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Debestyman (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Held up rear of mid-division, headway on inside 3 out, outpaced final bend, weakened flat, 7th of 10, 20 3/4l behind On The Blind Side (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Franco D'Aunou (FR) 4-9fav (11-8) Prominent, nudged along gently 5 lengths off winner before 3 out, not fluent and landed awkwardly 2 out, ridden and closed flat, too much to do, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Grooveur (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar.
The Bomber Liston (IRE) 16-5 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 2 out going strongly, pushed out and drew clear, eased and jinked at path 110 yards out, very easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Grand Lord (11-0) by 10l, 12 ran.
Grangeclare Glory (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Chased leaders on inside, ridden and went 2nd between last two, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Lossiemouth (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
