led until after 1st, blundered badly, dropped rear next, never travelling after
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, headway after 3 out, challenging when not much room 2 out, led soon after last, driven out
held up behind, mistake 5th, smooth headway after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on run-in
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
behind from 4th
held up behind, headway 3 out, effort 2 out, kept on run-in
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, mistake 4th, reminders after next, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed soon after last, no extra
hit 1st, pulled hard, led 2nd until 4th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden next, soon beaten
chased leaders until weakened after 3 out, tailed off, pulled up before last
prominent, led 4th until after 2 out, soon one pace
This is a very tricky start for punters and a narrow vote is given to Brown Fox, Shankly Bond and Tarkesar are two worthy opponents. The selection returned from a four month break to run a solid race at Exeter a fortnight ago. He has excellent form over course and distance including a close second in this event twelve months ago. He should improve for his recent outing and looks the best option. Shankly Bond also ran well here last time out when chasing home Tytheknot and this lightly raced five-year-old is also open to improvement. Tarkesar has been running consistently well and Lord Mayor was a class act on the flat a few years back, both could go well in this company. So all in all a wide open affair and Brown Fox is just a token selection.
Fast Mix (FR) 9-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 48l behind Beechwood (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Master of The Race 25-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, pressed leader, led 6th, headed approaching 2 out, 3rd unbeaten when hit last, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Liakoura (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Easy Laughter (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 6th, chased leader 3 out, jumped right last, weakened flat, 10th of 16, 22l behind Moon Star (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Shankly Bond (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) In touch, pecked 2nd, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Tytheknot (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Le Corvee (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Always in the rear, 9th of 14, 40l behind Ceoperk (10-13) at Warwick 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
Noble Calling (FR) 33-1 (10-11) In touch until 6th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Stars Delight (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Sturbury 33-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, not reached winner, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Moon Star (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Brown Fox (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, headway to join leader 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 12l behind Premier Hope (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Compton Star 10-3 (10-13) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again from next, 5th of 16, 13l behind Tytheknot (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Goose Chase 16-1 (10-11) Held up last, mistake 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind The Grey Man (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Tarkesar (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Held up last, mistake 1st, headway on outside 3 out, ridden and chased winner approaching 2 out, held when rider lost reigns briefly and blundered last, no chance after, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Twist Bookie (11-12) at Wincanton 2m cnd hcp.
Lord Mayor 17-2 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 6th, soon held, stumbled last, 5th of 16, 18l behind Arthurs Dream (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Cool Hunter 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, lost touch from halfway, 11th of 15, well behind Merrymaker (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
