mid-division, reminders after 2nd, soon behind and struggling, lost touch after 5th, continued tailed off until pulled up 3 out
chased leaders, close up 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on to chase clear pair when mistake last, just held on for modest 3rd flat
mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
led, clear from 2nd, went left 6th, reduced advantage 4 out, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace, no chance with winner before last
held up behind, headway to track leaders 4 out, led after 2 out, driven clear before last, stayed on well, very easily
always behind, tailed off 3 out
in touch, chased clear leaders from 4th, close up 4 out, lost place 2 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
chased clear leader to 4th, in touch, lost place 4 out, headway and in touch when blundered 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on to press for modest 3rd flat
Testing ground was a legitimate excuse for Australasia’s poor effort Newcastle last time but he had been placed on more than one occasion on a faster surface at Hexham before that. Officer Hoolihan was third at Stratford in between a couple of modest efforts but JOVIAL JOEY went close over course and distance in March when just beaten by Baby Bach and he gets the nod on that form. Point-to-point winner Five For Fifteen makes his hurdling bow while the rest have plenty of improving to do if they are to figure.
Australasia (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Jumped slowly and detatched in rear 2nd, close up 5th, went left next, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Jonniesofa (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) hvy in Dec.
Bill D'Aron (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pulled up before 5 out, at Kelso 2m 2f mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Five For Fifteen (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and lost touch over 5f out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Keeper Hill (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gs in Nov.
Jovial Joey (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) In touch, led after 1st, not fluent 4 out, driven and hard pressed between last 2, headed narrowly last, soon ridden, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Baby Bach (11-13) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar.
Officer Hoolihan 7-4fav (11-0) Held up in last pair, mistake 4 out, headway on inside approaching 2 out, went 3rd between last two, kept on but never going pace of winner, 3rd of 7, 11 3/4l behind Vive Le Roi (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
Shantou Theatre (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened, last of 10, dist behind Robintheaulad (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) gs in Apr.
Fieldsofsilk (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, weakened before 3 out, last of 7, dist behind Querry Horse (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Apr.
Sybil Grey 200-1 (10-9) Mid-division on outside, jumped right at times, behind before 4th, 10th of 12, dist behind Wade Harper (11-8) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
