led, pushed along approaching 2 out, driven and edged left between last 2, 2 lengths ahead last, headed and no extra towards finish
held up in 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leader, not fluent 4 out, pushed along when hit 2 out, 2 lengths down last, stayed on gamely run-in, led towards finish
NonRunner
Lovato’s yard is in cracking form and the top weight was favourite at Wincanton after winning at Bangor, though couldn’t cope with a 6lb rise. Royal Hall has won his last three over hurdles, including one over course and distance last month. But he’s gone up a further 5lb and might struggle today. Last year’s winner Ding Ding is very much a course specialist but RAMORE WILL is the third member of this quartet to have won on the track and Chris Gordon’s charge can shrug off an absence to shade an interesting little contest.
Lovato (GER) 7-2fav (11-10) Tended to jump left, led until after 1st, chased leading pair, pushed along before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Equus Amadeus (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Royal Hall (FR) 6-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven out, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gf in Oct beating Exitas (11-1) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ding Ding 12-1 (10-8) In touch in mid-division, headway 3 out, close 4th when edged right 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Royal Hall (10-9) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Ramore Will (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace before 2 out, 5th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Stole The Show (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in May.
