with leader from 2nd, led approaching 6th, headed after 3 out, soon hampered and weakened
mid-division, pulled up after 8th
held up and behind, hampered 2nd, never near leaders
mid-division, headway 6th, stumbled 3 out, soon chasing leader, led approaching 2 out, 4 lengths clear and staying on well when fell last, unlucky
took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
always behind, tailed off
ridden after 5th, always behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakened after 3 out
took keen hold, prominent until weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
took keen hold mid-division, mistake 5th, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened after 8th
always prominent, chased leader approaching 8th, not much room after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 4 lengths 2nd and held when left in lead last
led until 6th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
held up, headway 9th, stayed on from 2 out, left 2nd last
blundered and unseated rider 2nd
Crashtown Leader gets the vote here with Youlbesolucky and Joe Brown rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair third behind Whist Drive when last seen. That form sets the standard in the context of this race and if he is fit after a 297 day absence he will be hard to beat. Youlbesolucky rates the main danger on his best form but he was very disappointing behind good Samaritan last time and for that reason he is opposed. Joe Brown hails from a yard in top form and he showed plenty of ability between the flags so he should be noted in the market. Livingonaknifedge is another with place claims on his best form but he is more exposed than most and he looks opposable on that basis. Of the remainder Killaghy Castle is another that has shown ability between the flags and is another to note in the market but for the winner we return to Crashtown Leader who sets a fair standard and will be hard to beat.
Crashtown Leader (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (10-12) Raced wide, in touch, chased leader 3 out, mistake next, led briefly between last 2, one pace before last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Whist Drive (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Joe Brown 7-4 (11-7) 2nd of 6, 6l behind Ikemba (12-0) at Eaton Hall 3m ptp sft in Apr.
Killaghy Castle (IRE) 2nd of 17, 3l behind What A Notion at Liscarroll 3m ire ptp gd in Mar.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Zumrah (11-1) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Jun.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Held up and keen, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened quickly, last of 8, 46l behind Baron Monty (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
No Turning Back (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 17l behind Sonic Sound (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Jan.
Youlbesolucky (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed 4th, led again 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon headed and weakened, 4th of 15, 25l behind Good Samaritan (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs.
Day Of Claies (FR) (10-1) won at Saumur 2m stk in Apr beating Nough Alex (10-1) by a nk, 8 ran (Flat).
