in touch, ridden, weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out
led, headed approaching 2nd, led again 10th, headed 11th, mistake 4 out, 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
never going well, mistakes, lost touch 9th, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 11th, mistake 13th, clear last, easily
soon well behind, continued
held up, chased leaders 9th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed, pecked 10th, weakened next
in touch, steady headway from 4 out, weakened 2 out
Lou De Moulin Mas may prove hard to beat but we'll oppose him with Dead-Eyed Dick. Honourable Spider and Knife Edge finished first and third in last year's renewal but both may have to settle for minor honours today. Lou De Moulin Mas had an unenviable record of near misses to his name under Rules but benefited from a wind operation and scored twice in 2006. He struggled to impose himself in better company from his revised mark subsequently but should find plenty of opportunities in this sphere. Dead-Eyed Dick has around a stone to find with him on the form that he showed for Nick Williams at the end of last season but may be able to get competitive today. He won seven times during his career under Rules between two and a half and four miles on a variety of ground. He should be staying on strongly at the finish and Dead-Eyed Dick may be able to hit the target.
Elenas River (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Prom until wknd rapidly 12th and pulled up in race won by Gaye Trigger (12-0) at Barbury Castle 3m ptp gd in Jan, 14 ran.
Honourable Spider 6-4fav (12-7) Hdwy 4 out; led app nxt; sn clr; hung rt aft last, won at Detling 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Noakarad De Verzee (12-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Knife Edge (USA) 13-2 (12-0) In touch, mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, headway to chase leaders 13th, weakened 5 out, 11th of 13, well behind Joe Blake (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
Lou du Moulin Mas (FR) 9-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened from 5 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Reveillez (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Astonville (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Led to 14; wknd 3 out, 5th of 10, 31l behind Robbers Glen (11-0) at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Dead-Eyed Dick (IRE) 5-1 (12-5) Led 6-10 & 12 til app 16; wknd 3 out, 3rd of 5, 41l behind Bon Accord (12-5) at Ampton 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Star Double (ITY) 10-1 (12-5) Led til hdd aft 15; sn outpcd, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Kjetil (12-5) at Higham 3m ptp gf in Jan.
Ede'iff 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led 11th until blundered, headed next, chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Glacial Delight (11-10) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) frm in Apr '06.
