held up, struggling 3 out, always in rear
reluctant to race, towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway into mid-division after next, struggling 3 out, rallied briefly, weakening when not fluent 2 out
always prominent, pushed along briefly bend after 3rd, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, driven to lead last, stayed on well
chased leader until ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, good headway after 3 out, took narrow lead 2 out, ridden and headed last, held towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, no response
in touch, every chance approaching 2 out, beaten when carried slightly left between last 2
chased leaders, ridden when jumped slowly 4th, weakened next, not fluent 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leading pair after2 out, no impression
led until ridden and held approaching 2 out, soon beaten, hung left between last 2
held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out
With the ground against Hohlethelonely, we will side with SCOTS DRAGOON to land the opener, while Blue Express looks capable of going close. The selection's five wins have all come on good or fast ground, so he will be well suited by conditions. He stays well and remains very competitive from this mark, so with this stiff track likely to bring his stamina into play, we will suggest him. Blue Express ran up a hat-trick in Ireland last year and is now 10lbs higher than the best of those wins. Two starts for Evan Williams so far have seen little improvement, but that is not to say he can't do so, and a market check is advised. Petroupetrov remains a maiden after 14 starts and this is his sort of trip, but he looks best suited by cut and if the rains stay away then his chance is reduced. The same applies to Hohlethelonely, who has the ability to win this and represents the in-form Venetia Williams yard. Aces Or Better acts on anything but may just need this run after a decent break, but Le Corvee is in good form and goes well on good ground. He is raised 5lbs for winning last time but can again be competitive, although preference is for Scots Dragoon.
Le Corvee (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, mistake 2 out, soon driven, rider dropped whip last, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct beating Young Tot (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Hohlethelonely 11-2 (11-9) Very reluctant to race, lost at least 30 lengths, in touch before 4th, lost touch again after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Spider Boy (9-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Scots Dragoon 7-2 (11-11) Raced in 3rd after 1st, until 5th, went 3rd again 11th, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Orchard King (11-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Aces Or Better (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, raced keenly, dropped rear before 5th, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 13, 30l behind Giovanna (11-4) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Psi (USA) 22-1 (10-3) Mid-division, pushed along and weakened 4 out, 10th of 16, 30l behind Dantari (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Blue Express (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, kept on well flat to take 3rd near line, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Hunting Tower (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Reblis (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leader, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, 7th of 14, 34l behind Boulders Beach (10-7) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Gunnadoit (USA) 14-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, ridden after 7th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 6, 43l behind Novarra (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Petroupetrov (FR) 14-1 (11-7) In touch when keen, mistake 9th and 10th, ridden next and weakened, 8th of 12, 46l behind Simple Glory (10-12) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in May.
Spider Boy 5-1 (10-13) Led until approaching 4th, pushed along before next, still every chance 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 21l behind Hippodrome (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Fixed Interest (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, in touch when fell 3 out, in a race won by Vincenzio (11-12) at Towcester 2m 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
