held up, chased leading pair before 3rd, slightly outpaced 2 out, rallied to lead last, stayed on well
took keen hold, left pressing leader 1st, ridden after 2 out, 4th and weakening when pulled up before last
left in lead 1st, made most after until ridden and headed last, stayed on same pace flat
held up in touch in rear, not fluent 6th, went 3rd after 2 out, held last, weakened flat
jumped very slowly and hesitant, led until 1st, reminders and last 5th, lost touch from next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Despite a lack of experience over fences BYGONES OF BRID gets the nod over Saveiro. Karen McLintock's gelding looks made for fences and he loves heavy ground. Whilst the trip looks on the short side, the testing nature of this track will suit and he looks a good thing. Glenwood Knight is another very promising seven year old and he ran a blinder behind McMurrough in April when last seen. Lord Villez has 16 lengths to find on hurdling form with the selection when they clashed at Newcastle in January, whilst Saveiro has experience of fences but he took a heavy tumble at Carlisle and has a little to prove, despite returning to a track he likes. Best Lover is back from a long absence and can only be backed if the market (and his shrewd trainer) agrees, whilst Quatro Pierji has plenty to prove, not least on official ratings.
Best Lover (FR) 2-5fav (10-13) In touch, reminders 3rd, headway between last two, ridden last, kept on under pressure to lead flat, won at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '09 beating Vasodilator (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bygones of Brid (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 9, 12l behind Peddlers Cross (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Glenwood Knight (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 5th, led approaching 3 out, jumped left 2 out, headed before last, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Mcmurrough (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Apr.
Lord Villez (FR) 1-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, went 2nd before next, switched right and led between last 2, clear last, eased near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar beating Solo Choice (10-4) by 8l, 7 ran.
Quatro Pierji (FR) 20-1 (11-2) With winner and keen, jumped badly right and bumped 7th, unseated rider, in a race won by Sonowyouno (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Saveiro (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Led to 4th, reminders approaching next, disputing 3rd when fell 8th, in a race won by Divers (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
