with leader, led 4th, headed 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
chased leaders, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 10th, closed on leaders 4 out, one pace
held up mid-division, effort 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, effort when hit 4 out, not recover, pulled up before next
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened between last 2
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 8th, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 2 out
led to 4th, weakened after 2 out
held up mid-division, headway to lead 4 out, clear from 2 out, stayed on well
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, lost place 11th
Longueville Manor is awarded our vote ahead of Investment Affair and Beesneez. This trip is a little shorter than ideal for the selection but we are hopeful that he will get away with it. He goes well fresh and is unexposed over fences having had just the two starts; the second of which saw him run out a convincing winner at Uttoxeter. He's 13lbs higher for his return but is rated far higher over hurdles and is taken to exploit his chase rating. This does have a competitive look to it though and Emma Lavelle saddles two interesting runners. Umbrella Man hasn't won for a while but is well handicapped as a result and has his optimum conditions whilst Fieldsofclover comes into the race in good heart. Ian Williams has his horses running so well that Livingonaknifedge has to be considered as does Busy Isit. Moment Of Madness is consistent but doesn't win often enough but Sninfia is reluctantly passed over after two cracking efforts in defeat. Beesneez never got competitive at Aintree last time but this different track and return to this trip can see him in a better light and he should go well. So, too, should Investment Affair providing that his stamina lasts out over this new trip. Plenty to consider but we prefer Longueville Manor.
Umbrella Man (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leader, every chance 2 out, chased winner last, no extra flat, 4th of 16, 6l behind Kew Jumper (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 27l behind Primus Inter Pares (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Busy Isit 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 16, 8l behind Kew Jumper (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Fieldsofclover (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, reminder after 12th, led after 13th, headed 2 out, rallied flat, just failed, 2nd of 8, nk behind Saunders Road (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Beesneez (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Towards rear, some headway when not fluent 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 38l behind Sou'wester (11-11) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Longueville Manor (FR) 10-11fav (11-5) Held up, hampered 6th, mistake 13th, headway 14th, led just after 3 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun beating Classic Clover (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Country Escape 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, bumped 5th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Moon Star (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Prince De Bersy (FR) 66-1 (10-1) Held up, pushed along 8th, not much room briefly after 9th, never dangerous, 9th of 24, 37l behind Ballyfitz (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Moment of Madness (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, led after 7th, blundered 10th, headed 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Copper Bay (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Sninfia (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 9th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, headed towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Nikola (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov chs (4) gf.
Investment Affair (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden between last 2, led flat, ran on, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs beating Tempting Paradise (11-1) by a hd, 10 ran.
Pure Brief (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) In touch, weakened 4 out, 6th of 14, well behind Arceye (11-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs (5) gs in Apr.
Rash Moment (FR) 16-1 (9-11) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened 12th, 4th of 8, 25l behind Saunders Road (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
