held up in last, pulled hard and sometimes jumped left, headway to lead when not fluent 5th, hanging badly left and headed after 3 out, soon 4th and eased, got going again after last and nearly snatched 2nd, no chance with winner
tracked leader until 3rd, mistake next, soon last, blundered and behind next, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear before last, easily
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd until next, not fluent 8th or 4 out, chased winner approaching last, well held, just held on for 2nd
led until 5th, led after 3 out, soon headed, weakened last
The Laodicean went close over hurdles at Warwick in March but lacks consistency so it may be Arctic Ben, who has already had four starts over the larger obstacles, that provides the principal danger to MILGEN BAY. Oliver Sherwood's five-year-old, a fair third on his debut over fences at Ffos Las, should improve for the experience and has more scope than his rivals. Cloonavery and Hopeand are hard to fancy, even in this lowly grade.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Led, jumped left 1st, headed before next, chased leader who went clear after 3rd, closed 7th, led after 8th until fell 4 out, in a race won by Trooper Clarence (10-6) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 5 ran.
Cloonavery (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, stayed on from 3 out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 11l behind Lukeys Luck (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Oct.
Milgen Bay 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, pecked next, slow 5th, lost 2nd 5 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Havingotascoobydo (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (4) gd in Oct.
The Laodicean 25-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th until ridden approaching 3 out, well held from 2 out, 4th of 12, 39l behind Fishoutofwater (10-5) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Hopeand 20-1 (11-8) Soon behind, continued in own time, last of 9, well behind Investment Affair (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
