made virtually all, drew clear before last, driven out flat, kept on
tracked leaders on inside, lost place 4th, no danger after, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, headway under pressure before last, driven and rallied flat, went 2nd closing stages, not reach winner
held up in last pair, struggling 3 out, never near to challenge
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, lost place next, soon behind, headway under pressure before last, ridden and stayed on flat, never nearer
held up in last pair, headway 5th, chased leaders 2 out, soon driven and one pace, weakened last
tracked winner, driven after 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on under pressure flat, held when dropped to 4th closing stages
mid-division, driven 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced by front pair between last 2, kept on under pressure flat, no impression
BIRCH VALE (NAP) has to concede 7lb all round as the sole winner in the line-up but sets a strong standard on the back of an excellent effort last time when only just edged out at Perth by the useful Floral Bouquet. He had previously landed a decent novice hurdle at Sedgefield and is hard to oppose. Blue Baton finished well behind the selection in that Perth contest but should improve with experience and harbours place claims, whilst Pantomime has a place shout too if transferring some fair low-grade Flat form to this discipline. Irish raider Ask Madge faces quicker conditions for the first time which could bring about some improvement in the lightly-raced mare.
Birch Vale (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, mistake last, every chance throughout run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Floral Bouquet (11-4) at Perth 2m (4) sft in Apr.
Anny's Land 6-1 (11-12) In tch til outpcd aft 15; t.o, 3rd of 5, dist behind Danny Mags (12-5) at Hexham 3m in May.
Ask Madge (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, 5th at 6th, niggled along before 2 out, kept on one pace before last, 5th of 8, 16l behind Decision Time (11-7) at Tramore 2m mdn hvy in Apr.
Blue Baton (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place after 3 out, 7th of 8, 24 1/4l behind Floral Bouquet (11-4) at Perth 2m (4) sft in Apr.
It's All About Me (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Not jump well, always behind, last of 10, dist behind Hurricane Dylan (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Little Pippin 40-1 (10-12) Not fluent, always towards rear, last of 12, dist behind Ballinslea Bridge (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Mini Dreams 66-1 (11-2) In rear, blundered 3rd, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
Pantomime (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Not much room start, soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, dist behind Bal De Rio (9-13) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in May.
Roberttown Rose (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, well beaten final 3f, last of 8, 11l behind It's O Kay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) gd in Apr.
Rubenesque (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3l behind Thankyou Very Much (9-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
