chased leader to 7th, ridden and weakening when mistake 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, driven along from 8th, lost place after 9th, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner and jumped left last, stayed on same pace flat
held up, headway after 4 out, no further progress
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, ridden before 10th, weakening when mistake 4 out, mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well
towards rear, lost touch after 4th, hopelessly tailed off
held up towards rear, blundered 10th, soon driven along, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on, not troubled leaders
led, ridden and headed 2 out, 4th and beaten when mistake last
in rear, ridden and struggling from 10th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd when hit 7th, mistake 9th, hit 10th, led 2 out, soon headed, one pace after
mid-division, headway 4th, soon steadied, mistake 9th, soon pushed along and struggling, tailed off
Nonrunner
The trip of 3m3f provides a real test of stamina here and should suit recent Exeter winner Raslan but a 7lb rise since that success leaves David Pipe's gelding with more to do and preference is for Mikado, who gets the vote ahead of Montevideo. The last mentioned is capable but has struggled against the handicapper for some time and could still do with being dropped a few pounds. Isle de Maurice ran better at Cheltenham last time and has to be respected but a 7lb rise since that latest start seems harsh in the extreme. Downing Street ran promisingly on his reappearance at Uttoxeter earlier this month and would have claims if able to build on that effort, while Beare Necessities may want a softer surface to show his best form. The vote then goes to Mikado, who has shown consistent form of late and looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to resume winning ways.
Mikado 6-1 (11-6) Chased leader until jumped slowly and lost place 7th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, pressed winner 2 out, every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Present Glory (10-4) at Ascot 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Raslan 11-8fav (11-8) Soon tracking leaders, shaken up to challenge approaching 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf beating Sultan Fontenaille (10-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
Rushneeyriver (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Towards rear, behind from 7th, 15th of 19, 36l behind Abragante (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Downing Street (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) In rear, mistake 3rd, headway 9th, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Isle de Maurice 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, stayed on from 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Lothian Falcon (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Montevideo 4-1 (11-4) Held up, driven 7th, ridden 4 out, plugged on, 3rd of 7, well behind Duncliffe (10-9) at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Ingres 10-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 10, 9l behind Raslan (11-8) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Beare Necessities (IRE) 2-1 (10-8) In touch to 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 39l behind Ballyshan (10-9) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
