led narrowly, headed narrowly before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, lost touch with leader before 2 out, stayed on
tracked leaders, pushed along briefly after 7th, chased leader 11th, hard ridden and lost place after 16th, stayed on from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 14th, ridden and lost place before 4 out, kept on without troubling leaders from 3 out
pressed leader, blundered 11th and dropped to rear, reminders after 12th, pushed along after 13th (water), mistake 15th, lost touch 17th, beaten when pulled up before 4 out
in rear but in touch, close up travelling strongly 15th, pressed leader 17th, led before 4 out, eased clear before 2 out, in command before last, eased close home
Aubusson is highest-rated in this contest but it's hard to be confident about him as he's been beaten a total of 132 lengths on his last two starts. His chance would be obvious if he could bounce back. Magic River also needs to rediscover his form, whereas both Muffins For Tea and BILLY BRONCO were both back to form last time and the Dr Newland gelding gets the vote. He stays this trip well, likes good ground and his recent second at Wetherby over 3m represents a decent level in the context of this race. Air Navigator ran well at Haydock this month on returning from a second bout of wind surgery and is a danger if repeating that level here.
Aubusson (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Led until 10th, led 11th, headed next, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Psychedelic Rock (12-0) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Billy Bronco 5-1 (11-12) Chased winner, led narrowly after 13th, ridden and headed 3 out, chased winner, well held last, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Bafana Blue (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Air Navigator 7-4fav (11-0) Disputed lead early, bumped 3rd, pressed 11th, led 13th, pressed 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, lost second but kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Snuff Box (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Muffins For Tea 8-1 (11-11) Jumped left, prominent until 3rd, not fluent 7th, mistake 10th, pushed along 11th, outpaced next, awkward 13th, plugged on into 3rd when mistake 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Troed Y Melin (10-13) at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Magic River (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Pushed along at times, behind, hit 3rd, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before 13th, at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
