mistake 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
led to 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders, dropped rear 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden to lead next, held on well
held up towards rear, struggling halfway, rallied, prominent 3 out, ridden, no impression from next
prominent until outpaced 3 out
tracked leaders, led 5th, clear 9th until blundered 3 out, headed next, every chance last, kept on under pressure
Nonrunner
Network Oscar has shown improved form since being sent point-to-pointing and David Easterby's gelding has to be respected, despite his fall last time, but preference is for Festival Time, who gets the vote over Massager. The last mentioned has won his last three starts in points and has to be respected on the evidence of the form shown in those contests. Benny Boy was pulled up in his latest start in a point but is better than he showed that day and he has claims along with Sacred Mountain, who has shown progressive form in points of late. The vote though goes to Festival Time, who has shown improved form in recent starts in point-to-points and will not be inconvenienced by the testing conditions.
Benny Boy (IRE) 8-1 (12-5) Led 4-11; sn outpcd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Gangsters R Us (12-5) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Festival Time 6-4fav (12-0) A.p; led 12-14; led 3 out; clr nxt, won at Alpraham 3m ptp in Apr beating Corston Jigthyme (12-0) by 40l, 4 ran.
Harwood Dale 12-1 (12-0) A bhnd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Duchess Account (11-7) at Whitwell On Hill 4m 1f ptp gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Messager (FR) 4-5fav (12-0) Held up rr to 12; led on bit 2 out; sn clr; v easy, won at Hutton Rudby 3m ptp sft in Mar beating Tacolino (12-0) by 12l, 9 ran.
Network Oscar (IRE) 4-9fav (12-0) Held up; led 14-4 out; led 2 out til fell in race won by Monte Cristo (12-3) at Mordon 3m ptp gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Road King (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) pulled up in race won by Garden Feature (11-7) at Alnwick 4m ptp gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Sacred Mountain 4-5fav (12-5) 2nd til led 13; drew clr aft 2 out, won at Tranwell 3m ptp sft in Apr beating Behavingbadly (12-5) by 20l, 3 ran.
Theatre Rights (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Mid-division until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, well behind Fiftyfive Degrees (11-11) at Hexham 3m 1f mdn hts chs (6) hvy in Apr.
