led into start, reluctant to race, veered right and very slowly away, always behind, tailed off 4th
chased leaders, disputing 2nd before 4th, lost place 3 out, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, disputing 2nd before 4th, very slow and lost place 4 out, kept on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair
slowly away, held up in rear, headway 4th, 3rd from 3 out, no impression before 2 out, lost 3rd flat
led, not fluent 2 out, driven and headed flat, held close home
mid-division, fell 2nd
mostly chased leader, not fluent 4 out or 3 out, challenged 2 out, led flat, driven out
took keen hold, held up towards rear, closed 4th, weakened before 2 out
SHANROE TIC TEC has been frustrating to follow since rattling up a hat-trick in the spring of 2019 but he rarely runs a bad race and, though raised 3lb for his latest second over a much longer trip, won’t get many better chances to end his long losing run. The easier surface will compensate for a drop back to 2m. Stratford winner Blazing Saddles was no match for an odds-on favourite at Taunton last month but is probably in the form of his life so can’t be ignored. Secret Potion is almost certainly capable of better now handicapping but Vision Clear has become disappointing.
Peruvien Bleu (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Led in start, held up last, fell 3rd, at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Vision Clear (GER) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, dropped to rear 4 out, outpaced next, last of 5, dist behind Natural History (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Shanroe Tic Tec (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, closed from 2nd, close 2nd 7th, led before 3 out, pressed flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Butler's Brief (11-10) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Too Much To Ask (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up, effort from 5th, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, 17 3/4l behind Champagne City (11-13) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in May.
Blazing Saddles 3-1 (12-6) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 7th, led again before 3 out, headed and not fluent 2 out, well held from last, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Mystic Court (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Shaw's Cross (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not much room 4th, headway on outside 6th, outpaced in 4th after final bend, soon well held, lost 4th last, 6th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Pounding Poet (11-13) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in May.
Secret Potion (GER) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, nudged along before 3 out, made no impression from 3 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Smurphy Enki (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Hymn And A Prayer 150-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, struggling over 2f out, 9th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Floy Joy (11-4) at Kempton 2m 2f (5) pol in Feb.
