always behind
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner from 9th until 11th, weakened after 5 out
made all, clear from 8th, eased last 100 yards
behind, went poor 3rd before 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, chased winner from 11th until before 3 out, no impression
held up in touch in 4th, chased winner before 3 out, no impression
Twice a winner over hurdles, NOTUS DE LA TOUR has been mostly plying his trade in pattern company. He's much the best of these over timber and should have no problem getting off the mark over fences at the first time of asking. Hopeful Start made just that when winning twice over hurdles early last year but has lost his way since over the larger obstacles and Cloudy Too makes more appeal. He was in the process of running a creditable race on his chasing bow here before unshipping his rider. Signalman was placed in both starts over fences earlier this year and four-time hurdles winner Stopped Out is one to note on his chasing debut.
Charlie Bucket 20-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, weakened before next, tailed off, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Arctic Court (10-10) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Hopeful Start (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) In last pair, mistake 2nd, lost touch 7th, left poor 3rd 10th, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Shoreacres (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Feb.
Notus De La Tour (FR) (11-0) 2nd of 20 Shannon Rock (10-10) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in May.
Quel Ballistic 50-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, headway 10th, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out, went 2nd soon after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 16l behind Get It On (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Sep.
Signalman 6-4 (10-7) Close up, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 8th, ridden 2 out, effort last, kept on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 3, 3l behind Woody Waller (10-7) at Hexham 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Mar.
Stopped Out 5-1 (11-12) Made all, took keen hold, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after last, kept on gamely, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr beating Premier Grand Cru (11-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
Cloudy Too (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, challenged in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Time For Spring (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd, 8 ran.
