chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out
made all, soon clear, hit 4 out, kept on gamely, comfortably
mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 7th
towards rear when pulled up before 7th
chased leaders, mistake 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, reminders and lost place 7th, ridden after 4 out, kept on again from 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 8th, weakened after 4 out
mistake 3 out, always behind
held up, headway 9th, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, no impression on winner
always towards rear
mid-division, mistakes 7th and 9th, weakened after 4 out
chased winner, awkward 2nd, lost place after 9th, ridden after 4 out, kept on again from 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next
mid-division, hit 5th, behind when mistake 8th, pulled up before next
Only Dreams is preferred to Reflector and De Luain Gorm. The selection landed a touch when winning in this sphere and won well enough to suggest that he can hold his own in this better company. He hadn't shown a great deal prior to that Leicester success but there was no fluke about his performance and this trip clearly suits him well. De Luain Gorm has employed frontrunning tactics to good effect of late but he couldn't quite hold on to his advantage at Hereford and it's hard to see this stiff finish playing to his strengths. Marilyn Scudamore has saddled two of the last three winners of this race and relies on Reflector in this year's renewal. He was well held at Towcester over two and a half miles last month but may not have seen out the trip and could fare better here. Highland Vasco was second in that race and rates a mention but our vote goes to Only Dreams.
Viscount Bankes 13-2 (12-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 14, 27l behind Red Man (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd.
De Luain Gorm (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Led, clear 2nd, not fluent 9th, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Red Man (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd.
Only Dreams (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Held up, headway after 4 out, chased leader next until 2 out, every chance last, led flat, ran on, won at Leicester 2m hts chs (5) gd in Mar beating Stoneyford Ben (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Bisley (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 15; pulled up in race won by High Rank (12-0) at Paxford 3m ptp gd in Mar, 7 ran.
Gulabill 100-30 (12-0) (ts) prom til wknd 2 out, 4th of 10, 13l behind No Virtue (11-0) at Andoversford 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Highland Vasco (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Prominent, chased winner after 3 out, no impression approaching next, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Massimo (11-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Ice Rain (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 2nd, blundered 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Red Man (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd, 14 ran.
Ilabon (FR) 20-1 (12-0) In tch til 4 out; rdn & wknd nxt, 5th of 8, 31l behind Who Else Knew (12-0) at Stafford Cross 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Reflector (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, went 2nd 8th, led next, hit next, headed when hit 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 10, 41l behind Massimo (11-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Silver Dollars (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Held up, headway to chase leaders 10th, ridden 3 out and soon weakened, 4th of 8, 26l behind Jurado Express (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (4) gs in Mar.
Spud One 5-1 (11-0) Trckd ldrs; wkng when lft 2nd 4 out; t.o, 3rd of 6, well behind Golden Jack (11-0) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gf in Mar.
Talikos (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Keen, tracked leaders until after 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, well behind De Luain Gorm (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Wainhill Lad 100-1 (11-7) Slightly hampered 1st, mistake 4th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Red Man (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd, 14 ran.
Lile Na Casca (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Led 4 til hdd 3 out; sn wknd, 2nd of 4, 25l behind General Blackthorn (12-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp gf in Apr.
Pic of The Paddock 5-2 (11-7) In tch to 13; pulled up in race won by Fishguard Filly (11-7) at Ystradowen 3m ptp gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Irish Hawk (GER) 6-1 (12-0) Held up towards rr; lost tch 12; t.o & pulled up in race won by Flying Spur (12-3) at Brocklesby Park 3m ptp gd in Mar, 7 ran.
Vic's Last Chance (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Led to 3 & 11-14; wknd 3 out, 4th of 6, 14l behind Chorizo (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd in Apr.
