held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, went 4th 3 out, weakened before last, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out
held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous
held up behind, headway after 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous
made all, clear after 4 out, unchallenged
held up mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon lost place
tracked winner until after 4 out, soon reminders, weakened 3 out
always behind
in touch in 4th, chased winner after 4 out, ridden and hit last, no impression
Film Festival has been busy over fences this spring but can race off a 6lb lower mark over hurdles and it would be no surprise to see Brian Ellison's versatile gelding in the firing-line here. Viva Colonia won over a longer trip here in October and has been in action on the Flat recently, while Waldvogel beat the useful Aikman in a novice event at Musselburgh in January but was rather disappointing when only fifth over C&D last month. ROYAL MAX is only 2lb higher than when successful in a similar contest over C&D in the autumn and will have needed the run at Haydock last month. He gets the vote today with question marks hanging over most of the remainder.
Waldvogel (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Took keen hold, restrained in rear, badly hampered 4th, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders before next, one pace before last, kept on same pace flat, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Hunters Belt (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Apartman (CZE) 40-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out where not fluent, headed when not fluent next, weakened before last, 8th of 11, 32l behind Premier Grand Cru (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Film Festival (USA) 11-4 (11-3) Pressed leader, led 9th, headed 3 out, no extra last, lost 3rd last stride, 4th of 6, 13l behind Benny Be Good (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gf in Apr.
Viva Colonia (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, disputed 2nd 3 out, weakened before last, 7th of 11, 23l behind Mad Moose (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Cailin Na Ri (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Pressed leader, led 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last, 10th of 11, 45l behind Premier Grand Cru (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Royal Max (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 8, 36l behind Knight In Purple (10-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Apr.
The Kealshore Kid (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 12, 25l behind Yellow Flag (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Midnite Blews (IRE) 4-1fav (9-12) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Royal Max (10-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Crosby Jemma 7-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 8, 19l behind Lap of Honour (11-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Weetfromthechaff 12-1 (11-3) In touch, mistake 2nd, blundered 4th, 5th and outpaced when hit 3 out, weakened next, last of 15, well behind Sunarri (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
