raced keenly, mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out to before next, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
behind, outpaced after 4 out, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders
in touch on inside, led narrowly 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace from last, no chance with winner
tended to jump left, led to before 4th, in touch, lost place after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up behind, headway on outside when mistake 4 out, soon challenged, led between last 2, clear last, easily
with leader, led before 4th, mistake 8th, headed when blundered 4 out, soon pulled up
mid-diviison, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
held up towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, soon challenged, led 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra in 3rd flat
in touch on outside, challenged after 4 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off
The unexposed STEPS AND STAIRS is selected in the hope that he's a typical Jonjo O'Neill summer jumping project. He's shown a few glimmers of ability the last twice and is far from harshly treated off a mark of 95. He's also up in trip now which should suit and market support would strengthen confidence. Minella Bliss didn't go a yard over fences last time and could be a different proposition returned to timber where the best of his form brings him into the equation. Pennant Dancer is respected on the back of a Towcester success but Westerly Breeze looks the main danger to the selection and could well be worth a saver. He finished a good second to Billy Congo at Bangor last time and the winner has gone on to frank the form subsequently.
Waltzing Tornado (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, lost place 6th, well beaten after 4 out, 6th of 7, 36l behind River Deep (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Colley Row (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Hdwy 13; ev ch 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Gale Force Lucey (11-7) at Banwen Miners 3m ptp gf.
Legion D'honneur (UAE) 10-1 (11-6) Made most until 7th, chased winner until before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened next, 7th of 13, 42l behind Free Of Charge (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Minella Bliss (IRE) 11-8fav (11-11) Took keen hold, held up in 4th, 3rd at 7th until 12th, reminders soon after, struggling 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Bang On Time (11-9) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-110) (5yo+) (4) gs in Apr, 4 ran.
Steps And Stairs (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 11, 39l behind Bennachie (10-9) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.
Westerly Breeze (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on, no pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Billy Congo (11-3) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.
Pennant Dancer 7-2fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along briefly after 6th, headway after 3 out, left 2nd and badly hampered 2 out, 2 lengths down last, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in Apr beating Canarbino Girl (10-11) by nk, 10 ran.
Lady Knight (IRE) 250-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 5th, hit next, weakened, 8th of 13, 34l behind New Street (10-12) at Stratford 2m 4yo hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Tisfreetdream (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after last (usual 2 out), soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Seymour Legend (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Mar.
Direct Flo (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Led, mistake and headed 3 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair approaching last, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Finish The Story (11-7) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Sep.
Modeligo (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, fell 5th, in a race won by Ballyknock Lad (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Marmalade Man 7-1 (10-9) Chased winner until 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Tara Tavey (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
