mid-division, hit 7th, headway when not much room after 10th, weakened under pressure last
in touch, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on from last, gaining and went 3rd last strides
very slowly away, held up in rear, bumped along after 10th, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, pushed along when not fluent 6th, losing touch after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before next
raced keenly in mid-division, ridden after 10th, hit 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, switched right and weakened approaching last
always in rear, lost touch 10th, tailed off
led until approaching 2nd, pressed leader, mistake 8th, ridden after 10th, lost 2nd before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, hit 4th, headway on outside after 10th, hanging left after 3 out, weakened 2 out, went left last
chased leaders, not fluent 10th, soon ridden, close 3rd 2 out, stayed on flat without troubling front pair, lost 3rd last strides
mid-division, not fluent 6th, mistake 9th, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off
pressed leader, led approaching 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, regained narrow lead after last, headed close home
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, headed narrowly after last, battled back to regain lead close home
towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden approaching 8th, well behind 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, mistake 5th, no chance 10th
Nonrunner
Ricardo's Chance has won each of his last two starts and has to be respected in his attempt at completing a hat-trick but a 6lb rise for the latest success looks harsh and a safer option seems to be FORTUNATE DAVE, who is preferred to Billie Magern. The last mentioned ran well in two starts last month and has every chance despite a 2lb rise since the latest of those outings but the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding has yet to win a race and may again have to settle for minor honours. Nicky Henderson's Prince du Beury has disappointed in recent starts and of more interest may be Simple Glory, who has a nice racing weight and is only 5lbs higher than when scoring here last time. Peter Bowen's Last Flight has won his last two starts but a 7lb rise for the latest of them may prevent her from following up. Tony Carroll's Share Option has more to do than when landing a selling hurdle at Uttoxeter last month and preference is for Fortunate Dave. Michael Smith's gelding took advantage of a dropping mark when winning well at Market Rasen last time and he remains on a fair mark so looks to have every chance of following up.
Ricardo's Chance 15-8fav (11-4) Held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led last, stayed on well flat, ridden out, won at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun '08 beating Or Sing About (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Last Flight (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) In touch, pushed along after 2 out, challenged last, led on long run soon after, just held on, all out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May beating So Extreme (9-11) by hd, 10 ran.
Share Option 11-2 (10-7) Held up in last, raced keenly, headway after 9th, led on bit after 3 out, clear 2 out, heavily eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m cnd sll hdl (5) gd in May beating Gold Gun (10-13) by 5l, 8 ran.
Inching Closer 12-1 (9-10) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden next, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 12, 12l behind Westender (11-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd in May '06.
Billie Magern 3-1fav (11-3) Towards rear, edged right on bend after 1st, ridden and kept on from 3 out, took 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Master At Arms (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gd in May.
Island Myth (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Well off pace towards rear, went moderate 5th after 3 out, closed into 2nd 2 out, ridden to challenge run-in, kept on well close home, just failed, 2nd of 13, hd behind Major Sensation (11-9) at Tramore 2m hdl 0-102 sft in Jan '08.
Tora Bora (GER) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, nudged along 8th, ridden after 11th, weakened after 14th, tailed off, 4th of 7, 33l behind Dennis The Legend (10-5) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Prince du Beury (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 20l behind Crazy Bold (10-0) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Pseudonym (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up, ridden 7th, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 8l behind Master At Arms (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gd in May.
Smart John 12-1 (11-1) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, outpaced from next, 4th of 13, 22l behind Fortunate Dave (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Solway Minstrel 12-1 (10-4) Led to 5th, remained prominent, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Giovanna (11-4) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Fortunate Dave (USA) 5-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead after last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Pasagai (10-13) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Simple Glory (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, stayed on under pressure to lead flat all out, won at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in May beating Imtihan (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Le Seychellois (FR) 4-5 (12-3) Hdwy 5; led 14 til hdd 3 out; one pce, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Lord Louis (12-0) at Bangor-on-dee 3m ptp in May.
Nigwell Forbees (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4th, reminders and mistake 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Dalkeys Lad (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in May '06.
Phone In 22-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 12, 42l behind I'm The Decider (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
