led until saddle slipped and pulled up before 5th
tracked leaders, left 2nd before 5th, led after 2 out (usual 3 out), headed before last (usual 2 out), weakened on long flat
in touch, driven and outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened before next
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, soon behind
mid-division, in touch 5th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and stayed on to chase leading pair before bypassed last, never on terms
held up in touch on inside, lost place after 5th, weakened after 7th
mid-division, mistake 5th, blundered and almost unseated rider next, soon weakened, behind when virtually pulled up before last (usual 2 out)
behind, headway on inside 7th, soon chased leaders, ridden and outpaced when switched outside approaching last (usual 2 out), kept on same pace flat, no impression
behind, headway 7th, soon chased leader, led before last (usual 2 out), soon hard pressed, kept on under pressure flat, headed post
mid-division on outside, outpacaed 7th, soon weakened and behind
held up towards rear, headway under pressure on outside after 7th, challenged last (usual 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure flat to lead post
tracked leader, left in lead before 5th, headed after 2 out (usual 3 out), soon ridden, weakened flat
Lucy's Perfect carries a penalty for her win at Exeter nine days ago while Tri Nations is also saddled with extra having returned to winning ways at Plumpton. Midnight Opera was well beaten off this mark at Exeter last time but Advancement is clearly useful on his day, as he proved when defying a long absence to score at Taunton in March. Paul Nicholls tries Symphonick over hurdles after a stuttering start to his chase career in this country while Nicky Henderson is persisting with Pipe Banner, despite his indifferent form. Boogie Dancer could be interesting near the foot of the weights but this could be fought out by the four-year-olds KATCHMORE and Balerina. Preference is for the former, who is less exposed and may see out this trip better than the filly.
Advancement 14-1 (11-9) Made all, hit 3 out, ridden and pressed when hit last, kept on gamely flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Art Broker (10-1) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Midnight Opera 2-1 (11-2) Led, mistake and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Laustra Bad (11-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Symphonick (FR) 13-2 (10-8) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway 10th, blundered 3 out, 7 lenghts 3rd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Forget It (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Lucy's Perfect 9-4fav (11-12) Made all, ridden approaching out, clear last, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) fm in Apr beating Freddy's Star (11-5) by 11l, 5 ran.
Pipe Banner 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear and keen, headway to chase leaders 6th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Al Co (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Katchmore (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, soon led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, no chance with hard held winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Tatispout (11-3) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Balerina (FR) 4-6fav (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led next, narrowly headed after 3 out, ridden to lead last, strongly pressed flat, in command towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 1f 4yo flls nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Racey Lacey (10-10) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Dark Energy 33-1 (10-8) Held up behind, headway after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 18, 34l behind Requin (10-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Tri Nations (UAE) 8-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear and keen, headway before 3 out, challenged last, ridden run-in, led last 50 yards, held on well, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr beating Peaceful Means (10-10) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Boogie Dancer 100-1 (10-0) Always in rear, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Veiled (9-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Kylenoe Fairy (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) In rear, ridden along 5th, headway after 3 out, chasing leaders when awkward and hampered approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 5th of 11, 13l behind Devil To Pay (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Peppertree Lane (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 16, 14l behind Stoop To Conquer (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec '09.
