mid-division, headway to press leader after 4 out, outpaced when hit 3 out, gradually faded
mid-division, chased leaders 5 out, pressed leader 3 out, ridden after 2 out and soon held by winner, kept on one pace
towards rear, chased leaders after 4 out, forced wide home turn, soon weakened
chased leaders, drooped to rear home turn, ridden before 2 out and weakened
tracked leader, not fluent 6th, disputed lead before 7th, left in lead 4 out, soon pressed, ridden after 2 out, ran on strongly to draw clear run-in
in rear, in touch, closed up behind leaders before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on but never a danger
towards rear, mid-division before 5th, hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, ran on same pace
led, joined before 7th, mistake and unseated rider 4 out
SLATE HOUSE had his big day when landing the Grade 1 Kauto Star here in 2019 after which he was rated 156. He was down 26lb when scoring over track and trip last month and though up 7lb is taken to complete a double. Malystic was just denied by Return Ticket in an Ayr Listed event last month and though only 1lb better off may be better suited by the longer trip. The wonderfully consistent Light N Strike could hardly have won more easily at Plumpton and an 8lb rise shouldn't prevent another big run while Sir Tivo has won six times over fences in a year and still looks on a fair mark. Ludlow winner Bathiva is another to consider in a race where nothing can be ruled out.
Malystic 7-2 (11-12) Towards rear, hit 8th, some headway 4 out, pressed leader last, stayed on flat, just denied, 2nd of 7, nk behind Return Ticket (11-4) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Apr.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, travelled well in 3rd 4 out, asked for effort approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 19 1/2l behind Killer Clown (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Return Ticket (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway to lead before 4 out, driven after 2 out, stayed on flat, held on, won at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Apr beating Malystic (11-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Raya Time (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leader, not fluent 1st, joined leader briefly 8th, slow next, soon dropped to rear and pushed along, weakened before 2 out, last of 4, dist behind Edwardstone (11-7) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Slate House (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Raced keenly, led, went clear after 1st until hit next, hampered by goose before 5th, hit 7th, not fluent and headed 4 out, chased leader, in front again before 2 out, clear between last two, eased towards finish, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Rockstar Ronnie (11-12) by 9 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bathiva (FR) 15-8 (11-12) Made all, not fluent 2nd, slipped slightly bend after 9th, not fluent 3 out, in command flat, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Magic Dancer (11-9) by 3l, 4 ran.
Light N Strike (IRE) 7-4 (11-11) In rear, headway to go 2nd approaching 4 out, took it up travelling well home turn, clear last, easily, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating The Flying Sofa (11-0) by 14l, 5 ran.
Sir Tivo (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Prominent, bad mistake 1st, dropped to 3rd and pushed along after 4 out, 22 lengths behind when left in disputed lead 2 out, hampered by faller and soon led after 2 out, hit last, pushed out run-in, won at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Hardy Du Seuil (11-8) by 6l, 3 ran.
