prominent, mistake 5th, weakened 14th
in touch, headway and chased winner 15th, kept on same pace
in touch, reminder 2nd, pecked 4th and lost place, blundered 8th and 10th, pulled up before 11th
always behind, pecked 1st, weakened 14th, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden and weakened 14th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leader until weakened quickly and pulled up after 13th
in touch, 5th and ridden when fell 4 out
prominent, hit 5th, weakening when blundered 14th, behind after
held up mid-division, blundered 6th, 9th and 10th, headway 14th, led 15th, hung left bend approaching 3 out, blundered 3 out, driven clear when blundered last, eased flat
led to 15th, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace
Test of Friendship put some disappointing efforts behind him when landing a Plumpton handicap last month and has to be respected on that evidence but a 9lb rise for that success looks harsh and preference is for Kingston-Banker, who gets the nod over Dun Locha Castle. The selection has been hunter chasing and looks to be well treated on his return to handicaps racing here off a mark of just 93 and now professionally ridden. Alfred The Grey receives plenty of weight from Kingston-Banker and has the assistance of a promising conditional as well but he is hard to back with confidence on recent evidence. The Evan Williams-trained Mayoun disappointed under testing conditions at Chepstow last time but had earlier run well on a fast surface at Huntingdon and has to be respected on that evidence. Unusual Suspect has plenty of weight for what he has achieved but is trained by Gary Moore, who does particularly well with his runners here so he cannot be completely ruled out. Dun Locha Castle ran better at Towcester last time and has form on a faster surface as well so is another to consider but Kingston-Banker is well treated and he gets the vote.
Kingston-Banker 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, every chance approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 19l behind An Capall Dubh (11-11) at Bangor 3m hts chs (6) sft in Apr.
Native Performance (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden and lost place 11th, weakened 13th, 8th of 13, 49l behind Lucky Sinna (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Unusual Suspect 13-2 (11-12) In touch, driven when hit 7th, dropped to rear 10th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Roddy The Vet (10-8) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Apr, 7 ran.
Mayoun (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Always behind, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Kilty Storm (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Test of Friendship 10-1 (10-11) In touch, went 2nd 13th, driven to challenge and upsides 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Apr beating Peveril Pride (9-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
Dun Locha Castle (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Mid-division, pushed along 7th, headway 11th, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 18l behind Would You Believe (11-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Apr.
Run To The King (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) In touch, mistake 4th, weakened 5th, 9th of 12, 43l behind Twentytwosilver (11-1) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) frm in Apr.
Alfred The Grey 5-1 (10-9) Behind, blundered and rider lost irons 2nd, no chance when badly hampered by lose horse after 15th, left moderate 4th 2 out, 4th of 9, well behind Russian Lord (11-8) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.
