held up towards rear, headway to go in touch 10th, ridden approaching 5 out, chased winner approaching 4 out, no impression
tracked leader, hit 1st, pushed along approaching 6 out, went 3rd 2 out, weakened after last
tracked leaders, led from 8th, hit 12th, clear from 4 out, easily
held up in touch, outpaced 14th, went 3rd after last, ridden and no impression
held up in rear, weakened from 12th, hit 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, jumped slow 3rd, ridden and lost place 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
made most until 8th, ridden 11th, weakened from 6 out
Nonrunner
Sporting Rebel has had victories in points and chases and the hit-and-miss Simply Smashing may turn in a good performance, however we side with MICHIGAN D'ISOP who despite having won only once in twenty three starts ran nicely at Bangor last time and is consistently there or thereabouts. Although the selection has not run anywhere near this distance before, he generally does well in chase company and is our tentative choice. Simply Smashing with the tongue strap has won over trips of this nature before and despite pulling up in his last race should challenge for the honours. Sporting Rebel has won two of the chases he has taken part in but has not made an appearance since December 2008. After such a lengthy break it would be surprising to see him take the win here. Little Girl runs off bottom weight and may benefit from this but it is hard to see the twelve-year-old maiden mare contesting anywhere near the front. Our selection in this veteran handicap chase is for Michigan D'Isop.
Mr Ed (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 20th, outpaced 4 out, no impression when pulled up before 2 out, dismounted, in a race won by Martha's Kinsman (11-0) at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (4) gd in May, 18 ran.
Sporting Rebel (IRE) 12-1 (12-7) Made most til hdd 3 out; lft 2nd last; kpt on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Mioche d'Estruval (12-4) at Bratton Down 3m ptp gf in May.
Lydon House 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, reminders after 17th, not fluent 19th, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 17, 28l behind Omix D'or (10-9) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Apr.
Master Sebastian 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway on outer approaching 7th, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off and soon pulled up, in a race won by Treehouse (9-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 13-8fav (10-0) Chased leaders, effort 13th, soon pressing winner, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 5, hd behind Sagalyrique (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Chased leading pair, went 2nd and every chance 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 13, 17l behind Teeming Rain (10-10) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Little Girl 66-1 (10-5) Behind, struggling 9th, never near leaders, tailed off, 4th of 8, 48l behind Tisfreetdream (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov chs (4) gf in May.
Simply Smashing (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up behind, pushed along 7th, tailed off next, pulled up before 17th, in a race won by Omix D'or (10-9) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Apr, 17 ran.
