in touch, led briefly 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 4th, behind when pulled up before next
chased leaders, reminders after 4th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon behind
tracked leaders, reminders 4th, outpaced 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
with winner, lost place 5th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and every chance between last 2, kept on flat
in touch, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
behind, outpaced 4lth, pulled up before 3 out
behind and soon pushed along, lost touch 5th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
led, headed briefly 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure flat
mid-division, lost place after 5th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Major Oak, Creinch and Whistle Blowing make the short list and the prefence is for Major Oak. Barry Keniry's mount did not do a lot wrong in a similar contest ten days ago and as the punters were piling in on that occasion - it seems folly to ignore his chances under similar conditions on Monday. Creinch slithered to an unfortunate halt at Taunton. The race was a very dire contest but he has shaped as if a step up in trip should not inconvenience so any market confidence is noted. Whistle Blowing was a big disappointment against Heathcote at Towcester. He never travelled on that day and there is every chance that he could need a bit more cut before we see him at his best. Nile Moon has not been seen on the track since finishing sixth at 200/1 in a Carlisle maiden. In Dream's had some form on the level for Brian Gubby so today's going should not be a problem for his backers. Guerilla was left alone in the betting ring on British debut but is nevertheless watched in the market on this occasion. A difficult opener and Major Oak is selected on all known evidence.
Creinch 4-1 (10-7) Chased winner, hard ridden and every chance when stumbled badly and unseated rider in race won by Paro (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) frm in Apr, 8 ran.
Major Oak (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Always prominent, ridden 2 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Willies Way (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
My Good Lord (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In touch, left 2nd after 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Emmasflora (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Nile Moon (IRE) 200-1 (11-3) Held up, headway after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 18, 16l behind Regal Heights (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Step Perfect (USA) 33-1 (11-4) Led to 5th, chased leaders until lost place 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Stagecoach Diamond (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
In Dream's (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 24l behind Parsley's Return (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Whistle Blowing (IRE) 7-4fav (10-10) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 14l behind Heathcote (11-3) at Towcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Panzer (GER) 15-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, blundered 3 out, no danger after, 9th of 16, 14l behind New Mischief (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Mar.
