held up, closed on leading pair after 4th, led approaching 2 out, hard ridden after last, all out
held up, closed on leading pair after 4th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on, closing at finish
chased leader, well clear of remainder 3rd, weakened quickly after 5th, soon tailed off
held up, closed on leading pair after 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
very reluctant and pulled himself up before 1st
raced very freely, led until after 6th, weakened after next, tailed off
held up, off fierce pace in 3rd, closed on leaders after 4th, led after 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Gary Moore has won three of the four running of this race, including with Grasp last year, and can take the honours yet again. Indian Star appeals as the biggest danger. Grasp arguably faced an easier task last year than he does this and his recent efforts on the level, over fences and hurdles haven't been anything to write home about. However, he drops to a grade that he is fully effective in, is sure to be spot on and has an outstanding chance at the weights. Indian Star is a consistent sort in this grade and looks sure to make the selection work hard to land the spoils. He ran on well to win at Ludlow last time and should be hard to keep out of the frame. Monash Lad looks best of the rest and has the form to figure although Stuart Kittow has been amongst the winners of late and the combination of blinkers and a drop in grade may prove beneficial to Troublesome Gerri. To side with her on that basis though would be nothing more than clutching at straws and we far prefer Grasp.
Indian Star (GER) 7-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 6th, shaken up approaching 2 out, stayed on flat to lead towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Three Ships (11-8) by a nk, 18 ran.
Monash Lad (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 4th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 12, 31l behind First Feerie (11-10) at Stratford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Bournonville 66-1 (10-5) Pulled hard early to chase leader, led on wide outside after 2nd, mistake 6th, headed approaching 7th, soon behind, last of 8, well behind Marc of Brilliance (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in May.
Night Groove (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 3rd, ridden and no chance with winner after 3 out, hit 2 out, lost poor 3rd, 4th of 12, 24l behind Bethanys Boy (10-12) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) gf in May.
Prince Des Neiges (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Virtually refused to race, well behind when refused in race won by French Opera (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar '07, 14 ran.
Ede's We Go Again 16-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, mistake 3rd, always behind, 6th of 10, 32l behind L'oudon (11-4) at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) gf in May.
Troublesome Gerri 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Winsley Hill (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Grasp 10-3 (11-0) Close up, went 3rd after 4 out, driven next, no impression and lost 2nd last, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Zilcash (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gs in May.
