led, set strong pace and soon clear, went right 4th, reached for 5th and reduced lead, headed and hit 15th, no chance with winner before next, kept on for remote 2nd
mostly last, went 2nd briefly 9th, stumbled 12th, outpaced and no chance from 15th
jumped well, tracked clear leader, closer at 5th, led 15th, clear before 4 out, easily
SOLOMON GREY was no match for Strategem here last month but still finished eight lengths ahead of subsequent course winner Bletchley Castle, who re-opposes on worse terms. Dieu Vivant won well at Southwell last time but is also giving weight to the selection, despite Toby Wynne’s claim.
Bletchley Castle (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Made all, soon clear, 4 lengths ahead 4 out, jumped right last, pushed out run-in, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m 4f (4) gd in Mar beating Zamparelli (12-2) by 2l, 5 ran.
Dieu Vivant (FR) 7-2 (12-2) Close up, tracked leaders 4 out, left 3nd next, ridden to lead last, ran on, won at Southwell 3m (5) gs in Mar beating Activial (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Solomon Grey (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 14th, ridden in 3rd under 4 out, outpaced by leader after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5 3/4l behind Ami Desbois (11-12) at Newbury 2m 7f (6) gs in Apr.
