chased leaders in 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 7th, plugged on to modest 4th 2 out
held up in 5th tracking leaders, pushed along and headway to dispute 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden and no impression before 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, hampered 6th, never on terms
tracked leader until 3rd, handy 3rd, stumbled 5th, blundered next, went 2nd again 4 out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd 2 out, kept on one pace in 3rd
led, not fluent 3rd, hit 7th and joined, headed before 4 out, soon driven and and dropped to 3rd, went modest 2nd again 2 out, no chance with easy winner
took keen hold tracking leader, went 2nd 3rd, led before 4 out, clear 3 out, kept on strongly, easily
held up in last pair, pushed along and outpaced after 7th, no chance after
With four winners in the last six years, Paul Nicholls clearly targets this Grade 2 with his best novices and CAESAR MILAN should continue his excellent strike rate. Hugely impressive when winning an Ayr bumper on soft ground in March, the extra half-mile is certain to suit this winning pointer and he is one to follow over the coming months. Lienosus was third in this last year and looks the best of those with previous hurdling experience, though his confidence may have been affected by a heavy fall at Aintree in April. Timesremembered has more to do than when winning at Uttoxeter, though is another who will be suited by the extra yardage and is preferred to Berkeley Barron and Potters Cross, second and third over course and distance two weeks ago.
Berkeley Barron (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 4 out, headway on outside approaching 3 out, chasing leaders when mistake 2 out, kept on well in closing stages, went 2nd last strides, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, nk behind Tijori (10-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Ceasar Milan (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ran on well, won at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar beating Bobs Lady Tamure (10-2) by 6l, 9 ran.
Johnny Og 11-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hit rails after about 3f, ridden 6f out, well beaten final 3f, 10th of 14, 24l behind Take A Bow (11-1) at Chepstow 2m cond NH flat (6) gd.
Lienosus (IRE) 8-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, towards rear when mistake 5th, fell 9th, in a race won by Battle Group (10-9) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr, 21 ran.
Potters Cross 11-4 (10-12) Led, clear approaching 4 out, mistake 3 out, blundered 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, rallied flat, not reach winner, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Tijori (10-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Timesremembered (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Led 1st, made rest and not fluent on occasions, clear to 3 out, pressed next, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gd beating No No Mac (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Tinker Time (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, steady headway 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Carningli (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nhf (6) sft in Apr.
