always towards rear
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next, went 2nd near finish
blundered badly 9th, always behind, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, hit 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace
chasing leaders when fell 5th
in touch, badly hampered 5th, unseated rider before next
mid-division, blundered 3rd, headway 8th, weakened 3 out
jumped left, held up, some late progress, never a danger
chased leader, hit 7th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, in command when went left last, ridden out
in touch, hampered 5th, weakened after 8th
held up, blundered and unseated rider 7th
jumped left, led, soon clear, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd near finish
TIDAL FURY could be a fun alternative to the likes of Moon Over Miami and Modicum in a decent renewal. Charlie Mann's string has started the season well and the Lambourn handler will have high hopes that his charge can develop into one of the leading two mile chasers this season. His record was a little hit and miss last year but he won a Grade 2 and beat Big Bucks and should be able to win handicaps from his current perch but he has bled before. Modicum enjoyed a decent first season over fences but finished too close to Tidal Bay at Aintree for his own good as he resumes chasing on a 12lb higher mark but he does have scope. The Wicketkeeper won this last year from a 10lb lower mark but hasn't been seen since so this young horse has a deal to prove on his return in a more competitive heat. It's dangerous to rule out Bleu Superbe at this track but age could be catching up with him whilst Ruairi could find this on the sharp side. More's needed from Stan and King Louis if they're going to make winning reappearances from career high marks and we prefer to risk Tidal Fury. The best of his form has been achieved with plenty of cut in the ground and this Grade 1 winner in France has never reached the same heights in Albion. However, he's a young horse with a touch of class and without too many miles on the clock; he's joined his new yard on a very attractive handicap mark if his new connections can nurse him back to his best and today could be the day to catch Tidal Fury.
Modicum (USA) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Rocking Dock (9-13) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May, 14 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, effort 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 14, 24l behind Tidal Bay (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Stan (NZ) 9-4fav (10-9) Held up, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 11l behind Marcel (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
King Louis (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, effort 4 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr beating Its Crucial (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
The Wicketkeeper (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up, good headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, hit last, comfortably, won at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gf beating Charlton Kings (10-3) by 9l, 10 ran.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, ridden 8th, soon lost place, 4th of 5, well behind Tatenen (10-7) at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (1) gs in Oct.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, took modest 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Mahogany Blaze (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Ruairi (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Chased leader, led after 3rd, kept on under pressure from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr beating King Mak (11-6) by 2l, 8 ran.
Tidal Fury (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Led, not fluent 9th, headed 11th, weakened quickly and pulled up 4 out in race won by King Louis (11-2) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 42l behind Sou'wester (11-11) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Good Company (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, blundered 5th, badly hampered 11th, behind after, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Endless Power (10-3) at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Golden Feather 11-8fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, effort 2 out, led after last, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept beating Fred Bojangals (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Its Crucial (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (10-4) Held up, mistake 5th, hit 7th, chased leaders next, outpaced 10th, rallied approaching 3 out, took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Ela Re (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
