made all, pushed out
held up, slightly hampered 5th, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden after 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden in 3rd and 6 lengths down when fell 2 out
held up, hit 3rd, headway 4th, weakened 3 out, behind when hampered 2 out
pulled hard, hampered 5th, always behind
mid-division, lost place 3rd, behind when hampered 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakening when left 3rd briefly, and hampered 2 out
prominent, mistake 2nd, outpaced 6th, left 3rd after 3 out, no chance when fell last
prominent, ridden and lost place when blundered badly 5th, soon pulled up
held up, some headway when blundered badly 5th, soon pulled up
mid-division, lost place 6th, took poor 3rd flat
Polar Gunner, Tamreen and, possibly, Flame Phoenix, form teh short list, with the vote going to Polar Gunner. Polar Gunner is on a roll and is seeking his sixth-successive win. Just two pounds above the most recent of those wins - which, admittedly, came over fences - he still looks competitive. Atahuelpa has returned to winning mark from 2004 but has not shown much encouragement of late but A Bit Of Fun comes here on the back of a good run, although a career-best effort is required here in order to score. Misbehaviour is in the same boat, but Tamreen is very much respected under a penalty for a Stratford win in first-time blinkers last time. Bonny Grey might sneak a place, while Flame Phoenix has a fine chance based on his 2004 form and races in first-time blinkers today. Man Ray's run behind Green Iceni at Sandown last time on heavy going was an improved effort and he could have better to come. Finally, Unjust Law is interesting on his handicap bow but Polar Gunner might just about have too much nous for both him and the others and he is the selection.
Lord Henry (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Prominent and keen, led approaching 1st, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 24l behind Wellbeing (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Unjust Law (IRE) 4-6fav (11-4) In touch, ridden after 3 out, 4th and 7 lengths down when badly hampered last, 6th of 12, 17l behind Witness Run (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Mister Mustard (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, kept on but no chance, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Marrel (10-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Polar Gunner 7-2fav (10-9) Always prominent, led going well 3 out, drew clear after last, eased near finish, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr beating Executive Decision (11-2) by 8l, 10 ran.
A Bit of Fun 25-1 (11-11) Raced wide, mid-division, headway approaching 5th, every chance from 3 out until last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 16, 2l behind No Guarantees (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
Tamreen (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) In touch, driven 5th, tracked leader 3 out, led and clear soon after, comfortable, won at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr beating Estate (9-10) by 6l, 13 ran.
Bonny Grey 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 5th and hit, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 10l behind Marrel (10-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Man Ray (USA) 5-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to close on leaders, going well before 2 out, led last, no extra and headed final 75 yards, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Green Iceni (11-6) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) hvy in Dec.
