always prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, no impression on winner from next
took keen hold in mid-division, headway on outside after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, eased from 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden and headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
led to 4th, stumbled 5th, jumped left and mistake next, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, hit 6th, effort next, went 3rd after 3 out but no impression
took keen hold, always prominent, led 4th, drew clear from 2 out, mistake last, easily
unruly and unseated rider and got loose before start, mistake 6th, always behind, tailed off
chased leaders until weakened quickly approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, tracked leaders until pulled up lame before 2nd
held up, no chance from 7th, tailed off
Nonrunner
Grand Slam Hero, Vintage Fabric and Key Phil are three against the field in a competitive opener and the narrow vote is given to Grand Slam Hero. The selection has been in good form of late and was a fair second behind Kanpai last time out, that form has since franked the form and despite top weight under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Vintage Fabric rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Changing Gear but this looks tougher and he will need to improve again to defy his penalty. Key Phil was a fair second behind Rookery Lad last time and is another with place claims but his best for m is over a slightly longer trip. Cockspur hails from a top yard and should be noted in the market.Of the remainder Grand Display has shown a modicum of ability in two runs to date but may do better once handicaped and for the winner we return to Grand Slam Hero.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) In touch, chased leader 4th, challenged 3 out, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Kanpai (11-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Vintage Fabric (USA) 4-6fav (10-10) Made all and jumped left throughout, ridden approaching 2 out, jumped badly left 2 out and last, ran on gamely flat, won at N Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug beating Changing Gear (11-5) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Cockspur (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 17th of 20, 44l behind Bleak House (10-10) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gs in Apr.
Grand Display (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 24l behind Mumbles Head (10-11) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) gf.
Key Phil (FR) 5-4 (11-7) Raced keenly, led to 5th, not fluent and lost place next, chased winner after 4 out, ridden and no impression when blundered last, 2nd of 3, 15l behind Rookery Lad (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in May.
Lambriggan Lad 66-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, tailed off halfway, last of 14, well behind Buck Whaley (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Nov (Flat).
Ballymena 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, slightly hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 28l behind Queen's Dancer (10-5) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Sturbury 8-1 (11-0) Held up behind, headway after 7th, soon ridden, weakened after next, 6th of 11, 26l behind Sultan Fontenaille (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in May.
