tracked leaders, challenged from 5th, every chance when not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway 5th, led before 2 out, clear approaching last, easily
mid-division, not fluent 5th, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out
led, headed before 2 out, stayed on one pace
disputed lead, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, every chance when not fluent next, one pace before last
held up, in rear, took keen hold, headway 3 out, stayed on, never involved
held up, in rear, ridden and lost touch 5th, tailed off
NonRunner
A hat-trick beckons for VIOLONISTE (NAP), who has been cleverly placed to win races at Southwell and Carlisle and still looks a step ahead of the handicapper despite a further 8lb rise. Ronaldinho continues to disappoint but My Escapade looked to be on the way back when runner-up at Hexham and Irondale Express was third at Towcester last month. Bentons Lad was due to return from an absence here yesterday.
Ronaldinho (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, reminders 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, dist behind Move To The Groove (11-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (3) gf in May.
Violoniste (FR) 13-8fav (11-3) Blundered 1st, in touch, headway 2 out, went 2nd last, ridden and stayed on well flat, led towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in May beating Alchimix (10-10) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Yorksters Prince (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 11, 35l behind Lycidas (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) gf in May.
My Escapade (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Disputed lead, led narrowly after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and headed on long run between last 2, one pace in 3rd before last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Sleep In First (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Miss Blanche 25-1 (10-11) In rear, blundered badly and weakened from 4 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Sultana Belle (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Irondale Express 9-1 (11-9) Held up in touch in 5th, not fluent 1st, driven along in 4th before 2 out, stayed on run-in, went 3rd final 75 yards and closed on 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Mrs Burbidge (10-4) at Towcester 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
Spread Boy (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out (usual 4 out), outpaced before last, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 28 1/2l behind Sleep In First (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Alwaysrecommended (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Always behind, struggling 7th, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Bentons Lad 50-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, tailed off before 3 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Flemensmix (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.