not fluent 1st, chased leaders, every chance 3 out, went 2nd between last two, kept on under pressure run-in, always held
soon chasing leaders, every chance on inside 3 out, soon not much room briefly on rail, driven and one pace between last two, weakened approaching last
led 2nd, made rest, clear before last, driven run-in, always holding on
prominent early, hit 6th and lost place, behind, blundered 13th, no chance when blundered 2 out, plugged on run-in, never involved
held up, headway chasing leaders 12th, weakened before 3 out
led until 2nd, chased winner, every chance 3 out, ridden between last two, lost 2nd last, soon ridden in well held 3rd, no extra and lost 3rd post
chased leaders until hit 5th and lost place, towards rear, rallied 11th, chased leaders 3 out, driven and one pace between last two, no extra run-in
chased leaders until jumped slowly and lost place 10th, soon behind
always in rear, tailed off 14th
chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, kept on run-in, went modest 3rd post, no chance with leading duo
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, behind and pulled up before last
A win at Newbury will have done wonders for the confidence of THOMAS CRAPPER. He's only been raised 3lb for that and may be capable of repelling the Nicholls' challenge headed by Haydock winner Some Buckle. Quicker ground may not necessarily suit stable companions Calipto and As De Mee but top weight Volnay De Thaix could be interesting eased in grade and Antony is a previous course and distance winner. Blandfords Gunner is capable of improving on recent efforts with the ground drying out and looks better treated than Viva Steve, Junction Fourteen and Daveron.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear and in touch, went 5th from 2 out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 8, 34 3/4l behind Arzal (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
As De Mee (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Prominent on outside, ridden after 2 out, one pace in 5th before last, no extra, 7th of 29, 25 3/4l behind Eastlake (10-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Junction Fourteen (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 4th until 7th, jumped slowly 10th, outpaced in rear next, 5th of 6, 31l behind Le Mercurey (11-4) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Some Buckle (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Tracked leading pair, 2nd 11th, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden clear run-in, comfortably, won at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Shimla Dawn (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Calipto (FR) 11-8fav (11-5) Led, clear before 4 out, joined next, headed before 2 out, no chance with impressive winner, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 7, 10 1/4l behind Tea For Two (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (2) hvy in Dec.
Thomas Crapper 4-1 (11-3) Chased leading pair, 2nd at 12th, challenged from 3 out, led last, ridden clear, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Fox Appeal (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Viva Steve (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway to join leaders 10th, led next, headed approaching 4 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on well under pressure towards finish, never reached winner, 2nd of 7, hd behind Potters Cross (10-3) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Daveron (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, reached for 8th, mistake next, went 3rd 11th, pushed along and kept on same pace before 2 out, 3rd of 5, 11 1/4l behind Some Buckle (11-8) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Blandfords Gunner 5-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, one pace after 4 out, mistake 3 out, well beaten next, 5th of 8, 14 3/4l behind Pressurize (10-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Antony (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Went left 1st, chased winner until before 4th, chased leading pair, went left 2 out, weakened into 5th last, 5th of 7, 11 3/4l behind Always On The Run (11-2) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Gentleman Jon 5-1 (10-7) Chased clear leader, mistakes 1st and 2nd, closed 6th, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 5, dist behind Ultragold (10-3) at Wincanton 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
