tracked leaders, led approaching and hit 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well
held up in touch, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, weakened last
always in rear, tailed off from 4 out
held up towards rear, not fluent and pushed along 8th, hit next, ridden and weakened 3 out
led, headed after 2nd, led again next, headed 3 out, ridden and soon weakened
with leader, led after 2nd until 3rd, chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, pushed along and not fluent 9th, chased winner approaching last, kept on, always held
Colin McBratney's Kembla Grange ran promisingly on his British debut at Sedgefield earlier this month and has claims but preference is for another Irish challenger in ABBEY LANE, who gets the vote ahead of Elusive Muse. Alison Thorpe's gelding won a handicap narrowly at Taunton in April and has struggled in the grade since then but he is likely to do better back in novice-company and has to be respected. James Moffatt's Stolen Moments has some decent form over fences but is not as good over the smaller obstacles, while Walkonabubble has some reasonable form in Irish points but is probably best watched on his rules debut. Jim Dreaper's Kiosk is another challenger from Ireland that has to be considered but it is hard to get away from Abbey Lane. Gordon Elliott's gelding has already won a point in Ireland and opened his account under rules when comfortably landing a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park recently; he can follow up that success and win again.
Abbey Lane (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, close 3rd 3 out, 2nd next, ridden to lead last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f 5yo mdn hdl gf beating Spanish Auriga (11-12) by 3l, 20 ran.
Elusive Muse 3-1fav (10-3) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, led 4th until 4 out, hit 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Midas Way (11-0) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Kiosk (FR) 20-1 (10-6) Always behind, tailed off, last of 25, well behind City Of Doral (11-1) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Feb.
Lambertstown Lad (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Mid div, prog to tr ldrs when fell 3out, in a race won by Alright Benny (12-0) at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m ire ptp gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Stolen Moments (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 10, 20l behind Identity Parade (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Walkonabubble (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Pr & disp til jnd & rdn 2out, not go with wnr, ko, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Market Garden (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp sft.
Kembla Grange (IRE) 22-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and one pace from next, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Stand Clear (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
