led, blundered and headed 6th, led 8th, headed 14th, weakening when jumped right 2 out, behind when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 5th, pecked 7th, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten and lost 2nd, mistake and weakened last
ridden almost throughout, in rear, jumped slowly 6th, headway approaching 12th, lost place when badly hampered 15th, behind when fell 4 out
prominent, raced keenly, left in lead 6th, headed when not fluent 8th, ridden when jumped right 2 out, soon switched left and went 2nd, no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway approaching 13th, disputing close 2nd when fell 15th
always prominent, not fluent 13th, led next, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well
not jump well, in touch, reminders after 10th, outpaced 15th, rallied 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden and dropped rear after 10th, behind 4 out, mistake 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, weakened approaching last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This looks an above average renewal of a race that is usually won by a classy sort, with none of the last seven winners having gone off at odds bigger than 13/2, and today's short list comprises Massini's Maguire, Shining Gale, Killyglen and HERECOMESTHETRUTH, who gets the vote. On a strict interpretation of their running in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown in January, Massini's Maguire should be good enough to reverse his defeat with the selection now that he is 4lbs better off. With the Hobbs yard going very well, that may come to pass. Both horses will act on the ground, and both have run consistently well all season, but the key here is the trip. Herecomesthetruth is already proven over three miles with a Chepstow win in the autumn, while Massini's Maguire is a doubtful stayer over this far, as evidenced by his RSA Chase run last month, and that should prove to be decisive. In addition, the selection bypassed a hard race at Cheltenham to be kept fresh for this, which should be a further plus for potential backers. Shining Gale has always looked made for this trip and underlined that with a win at Warwick last time. He too comes here without the rigours of Prestbury Park to overcome, and as one who acts on good ground he has frame claims. After an abortive raid on the RSA Chase, Killyglen remains unexposed over fences, and a strict interpretation of his Ayr win in January gives him a major chance here, although he has tended to race with cut in the ground and there is a bit for him to prove on a sound surface. Cheating Chance looks a very interesting contender. Andy Turnell has his team flying at present and this eight-year-old looked progessive earlier in the campaign before the ground got soft. With conditions now having dried out he may surprise a few people over a trip that has brought him success. Or Jaune has been a credit to Gary Moore, reeling off a hat-trick in 2009. He gets his preferred going today and he is another unexposed performer over three miles, so a win would be no great shock. Siegemaster appears to go on most ground and if he is over his Festival fall then he looks capable of getting competitive, but preference is for Herecomesthetruth.
Herecomesthetruth (IRE) 8-13fav (11-7) Jumped well, made all, hung right from 2 out, drew clear after last, easily, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Au Courant (11-0) by 5l, 4 ran.
Siegemaster (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chasing leaders when fell 8th, in a race won by Cooldine (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Held up, reminders and ridden from 7th, kept on for poor 3rd, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Or Jaune (11-8) at Exeter 2m 3f nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
Shining Gale (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Led until after 1st, chased leader until after 6th, went 2nd again 13th, not fluent 3f out, switched left approaching last, led flat, ran on, won at Warwick 3m nov stks (3) gd in Mar beating West End Rocker (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Cheating Chance (IRE) 150-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, mistake and reminders 7th, well behind 3 out, 13th of 17, 36l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Killyglen (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, hit 3rd, mistake 10th, ridden after 12th, not fluent next, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Cooldine (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, held from next, rallied to regain 3rd flat, 3rd of 15, 25l behind Cooldine (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Or Jaune (FR) 9-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 10th, headed after 11th, led again 4 out, headed 2 out, ran on under pressure to lead last, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov stks (3) gd in Mar beating Manmoon (10-12) by nk, 6 ran.
Coq Hardi (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden when hit 2 out, stayed on, 6th of 23, 23l behind Andytown (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
The Vicar (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went right 1st, mistake 3rd, lost place from 8th, weakening when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Chapoturgeon (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Kinkeel (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Led, headed before 10th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 44l behind Lescer's Lad (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
