tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, effort, went 2nd 3 out, weakened after next, poor 3rd when pulled up run-in
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed run-in, no extra
held up, headway approaching 7th, pushed along 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, hard ridden, stayed on strongly to lead run-in
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
led, headed 4 out, weakened next, left remote 3rd run-in
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off pulled up after 6th
chased leaders to 3rd, soon tailed off, pulled up before 7th
Nicky Henderson pays a rare visit to Kelso with Herakles and can take this at the expense of One Sniff, Love That Bunny and Possextown. The fact that the selection has traveled so far from Lambourne in it self should set tongues wagging and with his recent fourth behind Hasty Prince looking the best form on offer here he is taken to score. One Sniff looks a promising type with a win under his belt from only two runs. The win came at Kelso last time out and even though it was a tidy performance the lack of experience will count against him here. Love That Bunny has not run since winning at Ayr last time out. That was a long time coming as he had run into the frame so many times beforehand which was suggesting his reliability was being questioned. The way he won now suggests he has ability but how much still remains a mystery. Possextown has proven his form as being solid last season and looks an improving type so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Herakles.
Herakles (GER) 11-2fav (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, staying on when not fluent last, kept on under pressure, 4th of 17, 7l behind Hasty Prince (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Love That Benny (USA) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Duke Orsino (11-0) by 4l, 17 ran.
Ostfanni (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Behind, lost touch after 7th, held off and pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Temoin (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 17 ran.
River Mist (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, hit 10th, headway under pressure 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 11, 35l behind Kinburn (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Dec.
Possextown (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, hit last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Bushido (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (D) gf in Sept.
Rule Water (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding, half-brother to numerous winners in bumpers and over jumps.
Fairfield 80-1 (10-11) Chased leaders to 5f out, soon lost place, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Westgrove Berry (10-9) at Catterick 2m mrs nhf (6) gs in Mar.
One Sniff (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway halfway and soon in touch, led 3 out, driven out, won at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Supreme's Legacy (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.