Held up, headway to chase leaders 6 out, led 4 out, ridden clear before last, mistake last, readily
Midfield, ridden 5 out, headway before 2 out, weakened after last
Never better than midfield
Midfield, ridden 4 out, weakened before 2 out
Held up, headway into midfield 3 out, ran on
Midfield, ridden 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, kept on
Chased leader, ridden 5 out, weakened
Led, headed 4 out, ridden 3 out, ran on but always held
Never better than midfield
Red Giant won this last year when 2lb higher and has probably been aimed at the race again. Brian Boranha was third 12 months ago and won the race in 2018 so is also respected, though is closely matched with Silva Eclipse on their run together here in March. Bafana Blue is a strong stayer and both Classic Escape and Manwell have form at the track. MONTANNA has been very reliable this year and was staying on last time at Uttoxeter off this mark, despite finding one too good. An easy winner over 3m3f here two runs ago, he should cope with the extra quarter-mile. Hewick, who has travelled over from Ireland, should also be thereabouts if lasting home.
Hewick (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Prominent behind clear leader, closed from 10th, effort and slight mistake 2 out, chased leaders in 3rd before last, 2nd closing stages and kept on well without quite reaching winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Tullybeg (11-10) at Gowran Park 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Oct.
Silva Eclipse 13-2 (11-6) Mid-division, hit 8th, headway chasing leaders 14th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Innisfree Lad (11-2) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Brian Boranha (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Just worse than midfield, niggled along and headway before 3 out, challenged for lead before last, lacked pace of front pair on the run-in, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Silva Eclipse (11-7) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Classic Escape (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, mistake 11th, fell 13th, at Musselburgh 4m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Manwell (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, closer in 5th 9th, chased leaders before 3 out, went 2nd and mistake 2 out, held when went right last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind William Of Orange (11-11) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Montanna 5-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, stayed 4th but lost ground 3rd, pushed along and effort 13th, outpaced next, rallied 16th, no impression on winner 3 out, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Friends Don't Ask (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Bafana Blue 33-1 (10-0) Prominent, pushed before 4 out, ridden after 3 out when struggling to keep tabs on leaders, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 15 1/2l behind Landofsmiles (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Red Giant (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Chased winner, reminder after 10th, pushed along before 3 out, pushed along when went right and slightly hampered at at the last, hung right and lost 2nd run-in, plugged on, 3rd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Amalfi Doug (11-11) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Young Turk (FR) 66-1 (10-11) Prominent, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, finished tired, 4th of 7, 28 3/4l behind Templehills (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
