chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, held up, smooth headway on bit into 3rd over 3f out, 2nd 2f out, pushed into lead inside final furlong, ran on well
led until ridden over 2f out, chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, plugged on into 4th inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong
The Poodle Faker shaped with promise at Newbury last season and his half-brother won a bumper. But winning pointer Face To Face and He's A Charmer, well beaten when favourite at Wincanton in January, are not likely to flourish until tackling hurdles. CULTIVATOR is a full brother to one winning jumper and a half-brother to another. He kept on under hands and heels when third to The Unit at Newbury in March and can put that experience to good use here. The market will tell us when to expect from the three newcomers in the race.
Bolister (FR) Le Balafre gelding out of Girlish.
Brandenburg Gate (IRE) Germany gelding out of Miss Anchor.
Cultivator 3-1fav (10-9) Chased clear leaders, closed 9f out, switched right going well over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, soon edged left and unable to quicken, one pace and no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 6 1/4l behind The Unit (10-9) at Newbury 2m (2) gd in Mar.
Face To Face 6-4fav (12-0) (cp) hdwy 14; led last; drvn out, won at Trebudannon 3m mdn gd in May beating Zip The Lip (12-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
He's A Charmer (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Disputed lead until 6f out, chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 4th of 12, dist behind See The World (11-4) at Wincanton 2m (6) hvy in Jan.
Henrybrowneyes (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In touch in mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and outpaced 3f out, no threat after, 7th of 11, 14l behind Simon Squirrel (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (6) gs in Apr.
Opechee (IRE) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Falcons Gift.
The Poodle Faker 20-1 (10-12) Behind, headway under pressure over 3f out, soon chased leaders, kept on same pace final 2f, never on terms, 6th of 16, 10 3/4l behind Miss Crick (10-5) at Newbury 1m 4f (6) sft in Feb.
