in rear, closer order 8th, ridden after 14th, outpaced and struggling from 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 16th, led 3 out, headed last, outpaced by winner
held up, headway approaching 4 out, 2nd before 2 out, led last, readily
in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression on leaders before 2 out
in touch, mistake 2nd, struggling 13th, hit 14th, last before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 14th, jumped right from 15th, headed 3 out, weakened between last 2
chased leaders, ridden from 15th, outpaced from 4 out
led, headed when mistake 14th, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up and behind, headway from 4 out, went 3rd last, no impression on front pair
Francines-Boy gets a tentative vote over Inaro, Rainbow Tree and Gallik Dawn in a race in which nothing really stands out. Francines-Boy is no spring chicken at the age of 11, but there was encouragement to be gleaned from his latest performance here recently when second to Eskimo Jack. The slightly longer trip should suit, as will the fact that he receives weight from all bar Blazing Hills. Inaro will have his supporters due to the fact that he represents a strong combination, but although the ground will suit him more than at Perth last time, he is not one to put the mortgage on. A spell out hunting seems to have restored Rainbow Tree's confidence, and he is back over fences again off what looks a fair weight, so he is another to mention along with Gallik Dawn who never figured in the competitive hunter chase won by Joe Blake at Stratford. It is really hard to nominate any of these with confidence, so only a small wager on Francines-Boy is advised.
Inaro (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Behind, headway 4 out, effort next, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 15, 38l behind Dream Alliance (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Apr.
Tanterari (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Mistake 8th, always behind, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Liverpool Echo (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Gallik Dawn 8-1 (12-0) Held up, headway 9th, ridden 14th, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 30l behind Joe Blake (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
Burren Moonshine (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) In touch, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Innisfree (9-9) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May, 11 ran.
Rainbow Tree 6-5fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led fifth, headed 3 out, weakend after next, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Keepitsecret (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Gumley Gale 22-1 (10-6) Mistakes in mid-division, lost place after 11th, no danger after, 6th of 12, 29l behind Waynesworld (10-2) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Blazing Hills 17-2 (11-6) Led to 8th, left 2nd 11th, ridden and hit 3 out, 8 lengths down when mistake and unseated rider 2 out unseated rider 2 out in race won by Mr Splodge (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Francines-Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Eskimo Jack (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in May.
