tracked leaders, weakened from 2 out
close up, outpaced before 2 out, kept on run-in
towards rear, pushed along after 2 out, soon outpaced
prominent, ridden and every chance last, weakened run-in
mid-division, weakened from 9th
towards rear, tailed off from 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 7th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up
mid-division, not fluent, lost place 5th, mistake 8th, stayed on from last, went 2nd run-in, always held
mid-division, outpaced 9th, mistake 10th, never dangerous
chased leaders, led before 8th, ridden before last, headed run-in, no extra and lost place
towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 4th from last, one pace and no impression
led, headed before 3rd, regained lead run-in, held on well
chased leaders, led before 3rd, headed before 8th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up
mid-division, lost place before 4th, soon pulled up
WHAT A GAME was expected to do better last time at Southwell when supported into favouritism but came home a well-beaten fourth. However, he's afforded another chance having been dropped 3lb for that run. First-time blinkers are now applied and the move back to 2m6f could also aid his cause. Off this handicap mark and with the best almost certainly still to come, he receives the vote with the excellent Brian Hughes booked. Seamus Durack is a shrewd operator with his select string and the fact he has his first-ever runner here is noteworthy in the form of lightly-raced Tour De Ville who should also have more to offer over timber. Check him in the market, although Alchimix looks the main danger if reproducing a much-improved effort last time when a close second to Violiniste at Carlisle, although he has been hiked 7lb for that performance. Motion To Strike and Silver Shuffle also merit respect.
Motion To Strike (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 5th, close up 2 out, ridden approaching last, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Newtown Lad (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Apr.
Mr Blue Nose 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders on inside, lost place before 3 out, rallied and left 4th after last, stayed on, 4th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Urban Kode (10-4) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in May.
Tour De Ville (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway on outside into mid-division before 5th, kept on into modest 4th last, 4th of 12, 22 1/4l behind Master Of Speed (10-10) at Kempton 2m mdn (4) gd in May.
Lift The Lid (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 32l behind Bloody Mary (11-2) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Dark Diamond (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Mystic Sky (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in May.
Green Zone (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, one pace and no impression before last, 9th of 10, 18l behind Desert Island Dusk (11-0) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
The Compeller (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Close up, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 24l behind Ash Park (11-1) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Silver Shuffle (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway final furlong, kept on and just held towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Desktop (9-5) at Wetherby 1m 6f hcp (6) gd in May.
Alchimix (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 5th, headway to lead 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Violoniste (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in May.
Ashes Corner (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened before 5th, tailed off, 4th of 7, 25 3/4l behind Move To The Groove (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) gd in May.
Laird Of Monksford (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Towards rear, pushed along in rear after 5 out, not fluent next and soon detached, slightly hampered after 4 out, no extra from next, 11th of 15, dist behind Tellthemnuttin (11-2) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hcp gd in May.
What A Game (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 8th, modest 4th when weakened before 2 out, 4th of 9, 32 3/4l behind French Seventyfive (10-7) at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in May.
The Late Shift 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, bumped 4th, not fluent and lost place 7th, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before next, at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Champagne Ransom (FR) 125-1 (10-5) Always behind, weakened from 2 out, tailed off, 9th of 14, dist behind Violoniste (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in May.
