held up in rear, steady headway to 4th at 11th, went 3rd at 13th, led on inside going best 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well
chased leader, led 6th until narrowly headed and bumped 13th, chased leader until 2 out, rallied to 2nd before last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, blundered 11th, lost 3rd at 13th, weakened 4 out, well beaten 4th when mistake last
behind, blundered 5th, struggling from 12th, tailed off and pulled up soon after
held up in touch until lost place and pushed along 10th, struggling in rear when hampered 12th, tailed off
behind when blundered and rider lost irons 4th, pulled up next
never on terms with leaders, struggling in well beaten 6th before 3 out
in touch, lost place 9th, 7th and struggling after 11th, went badly left next, tailed off and pulled up soon after
well in rear, tailed off when jumped violently left 8th and next, soon pulled up
led until narrowly headed 6th, pressed leader, led again and jumped left 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, chased winner, well held when dropped to 3rd before last
held up towards rear, headway to modest 4th 4 out, stayed on same pace from next
Some old friends on view and JURADO EXPRESS can take the prize at the expense of Bob Hall and Loita Hills. Ascot holds no fears for the 14-year-old and if he can reproduce his most recent effort at Kempton, he has to be considered a big player. Bob Hall seems to need every yard of this trip nowadays. He has plenty of class about him though can make the odd howler. Loita Hills was a fair performer under rules. If he has retained his ability, he has to be a serious player at this level. Tikram is incredibly quirky and therefore very difficult to predict. Doof ran a real eyecatcher at big odds and can trouble the places again. Bantry Bere finished alone to take a prize at Fakenham.He had previously been a solid handicapper for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Little Rocker only made it to the sixth in the Fox Hunters at Aintree and it is to be hoped that he has emerged unscathed for that experience. Jurado Express is the selection in a race where the market will probably tell the tale.
Bob Hall (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Behind, blundered 6th and 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Baby Run (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Jurado Express (IRE) 15-2 (11-13) Made all, jumped well, driven 2 out, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (4) gd in Mar beating Good Company (12-4) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Raced keenly, always close up, led narrowly 13th soon joined, jumped well 3 out and soon in command, left clear next, finished alone, won at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gs in Feb, 5 ran.
Little Rocker (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Held up in touch, prominent when fell 6th, in a race won by Silver Adonis (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs, 21 ran.
Tikram 5-2fav (11-11) Held up in mid-division, headway 7th, led 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, no danger after, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) gd in May beating Little Rocker (11-7) by 9l, 11 ran.
Calgary Jock 25-1 (12-5) Led to 15; sn btn, 4th of 6, 11l behind Took My Eye (12-5) at Higham 3m ptp gf in Mar.
Doof (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Led until headed before 3 out, kept on well for clear 2nd, no real chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Drybrook Bedouin (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gs.
Jean Le Poisson (FR) 20-1 (12-7) (cp) (tt) in tch to 14; pu 3 out, in a race won by Overlut (12-7) at Siddington 3m ptp gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Kniaz (FR) 3-1 (12-0) Ww in rr, prog 4out, rdn to ld bef last on inner, ro best, won at Tyrella 3m ire ptp gd in Mar '08 beating Ngong Hills (12-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Light Des Mulottes (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led 6th, hit 12th, blundered and headed next, stayed chasing leaders until no extra before 3 out, 5th of 13, 26l behind Carrick Oscar (11-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Loita Hills (IRE) 7-2 (12-5) Mid-division, steady headway from 11th, chased winner from 13th, soon challenging, bumped 3 out, still every chance last, hung left under pressure and not quicken flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Carrick Oscar (11-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Even Homer Nods (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) (cp) (tt) held up; eff 4 out; wknd 2 out, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Rowdy Yeats (12-7) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gs in Mar.
