tracked winner until not fluent 8th, soon outpaced
prominent, went 2nd 8th, effort 3 out, not pace of winner
made all, drew clear between last 2
in touch until outpaced when not fluent 3 out
behind, outpaced 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
A small field goes to post for the finale but it is competitive nonetheless and the principals look to be Marcel, Locksmith, Andre Chenier and Bohemian Spirit and the narrow vote is given to the last named. The selection was a fair fourth behind Misty Dancer last time out and although the drop in trip is a worry there looks to be plenty of pace in the race and he is taken to score. Marcel rates the main danger on her best form but she finds little off the bridle and at likely odds she looks worth opposing. Locksmith was a fair second behind Three Mirrors last time and could improve for the drop in trip. Of the remainder Andre Chenier was let down by his jumping when a moderate fourth behins Echo Point last time and with this in mind for the winner we return to Bohemian Spirit.
Marcel (FR) 15-2 (11-5) Raced in 4th, went 3rd after 7th, chased winner 4 out, ridden after next, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened soon after, last of 5, 15l behind Black Hills (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Apr.
Bohemian Spirit (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 7th, went 2nd after 10th, every chance when not much room and hit 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 10l behind Misty Dancer (9-13) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Locksmith 11-4 (11-0) Led, blundered badly 8th, headed 5 out, ridden approaching next, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Three Mirrors (9-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gf in Apr.
Lord On The Run (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Eleazar (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Andre Chenier (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, went remote 4th 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 9, well behind Echo Point (11-4) at Perth 2m nov chs (3) gs in Apr.
