towards rear, headway after 5f, weakened over 4f out
held up towards rear, headway from halfway, led 2f out, soon ridden, no extra when headed close home
chased leader until weakened over 4f out
hung left entering straight, always towards rear
chased leaders, challenged 3f out, soon ridden, led close home
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on
mid-division, headway after 5f to press leaders, ridden over 3f out, gradually faded
prominent, ridden 3f out gradually faded
mid-division, driven along halfway, headway over 5f out, hung left from 4f out, every chance from 3f out, kept on close home
mid-division, headway over 4f out, effort 3f out, kept on
soon mid-division, weakened over 4f out
An absolute minefield for punters to tread through! And Equity Release is a far from confident choice to get the better of Pride Of Dulcote, The Mighty Bard and Different Lot. The last named - a son of Old Vic - is bred to go jumping and is one to bear in mind as he gain in experience. His yard has a fair strike-rate in bumpers, so a positive indication from the betting would be dangerous to ignore. The same has to be said of The Mighty Bard, who is by the same sire but his dam was of very modest ability on the track. Still, there are pluses in his pedigree and, as Nicky Henderson is a past master at getting one ready for a race of this nature, he is respected. Paul Nicholls sends out Pride Of Dulcote - a French-bred gelding that looks a typical long-term prospect. His sire liked plenty of give underfoot, so any rain would not go amiss for him. However, preference just goes to Equity Release, even though he may also appreciate a drop of rain. The selection is a half-brother to hurdles winner Ryhall and is out of the useful racemare Loshian. He has plenty of ticks in the right boxes and fits the bill the best on paper at this stage.
Do The Locomotion (IRE) Presenting gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Equity Release (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Ryhall.
Ivory Fair (USA) 5-1 (11-2) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 12l behind Lit Up (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Or Bleu (FR) Discover D'auteuil gelding out of an unraced mare.
Piper Hayes (IRE) (11-7) won at Necarne 2m 4f ire ptp hvy in May '05 beating Meadows Thyne (11-7) by 5l, 12 ran.
Different Lot (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Pride of Dulcote (FR) Kadalko gelding, half-brother to minor French 2m3f winning hurdler Furioso.
The Mighty Bard (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
