tracked leader, lost place approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden next, went modest 4th last, no chance with leaders
tracked leader, outpaced in 3rd 3 out, lost place next, weakened before last
held up behind in touch, outpaced after 4 out, never on terms
held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out, ridden after next, rallied into 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders in 4th, headway on outer 4 out, went 2nd before next, ridden to challenge after last, led narrowly flat, kept on towards finish
led, driven 2 out, 1 length advantage last, soon hard pressed, ridden and headed narrowly flat, kept on, no extra towards finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Lil Rockerfeller finished third yesterday at Cheltenham. Work In Progress won easily at Kempton but steps up a couple of grades for this under a penalty. Hunters Hoof and A Vos Gardes were progressive last season so should be thereabouts but Bear's Affair is probably having a confidence-booster before returning to fences. PINE CREEK was only beaten a neck in a Grade 3 at Ascot in December and then ran in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. He's the class act here and should go close if handling the step up in trip. Box Office hasn't won since arriving from France and probably needs some help from the handicapper.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 8-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 12th, well beaten 4 out, 10th of 17, dist behind Shuil Royale (10-5) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Pine Creek 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, driven and beaten before next, 12th of 23, 21l behind Violet Dancer (10-9) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb.
A Vos Gardes (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leading trio, hit 6th, headway into 3rd approaching next, pushed along and lost 3rd briefly approaching 3 out, driven and one pace before next, 3rd of 6, 11 1/2l behind Different Gravey (11-10) at Ayr 2m 4f (3) gd in Apr.
Box Office (FR) 9-2fav (11-2) Held up in rear, some headway 2 out, no impression, 6th of 12, 12l behind Tea In Transvaal (10-9) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Hunters Hoof (IRE) 8-13fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged and hit 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m (4) gd in Feb beating Rock Of Leon (10-13) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Work In Progress (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Led until approaching 5th, led again next, quickened clear 2 out, eased closing stages, won at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct beating Western Way (11-12) by 8l, 7 ran.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 2-1fav (8-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, wandered right well over 1f out, soon went left, headed and not quicken final 100 yards, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Highland Castle (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in May.
Grove Silver (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led, clear after 1st until 3rd, headed after 4th, led next, headed 7th, one pace 2 out, 4th of 10, 25l behind Central Flame (10-3) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Lexi's Boy (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Mistake 1st, towards rear after, not fluent 2nd, pushed along next, hit 4th, behind next, pulled up before 3 out, at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gs in May.
