mid-division, weakened 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted approaching 2 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th and no chance when blundered badly next, weakened
jumped slickly, tracked leader, led before 5th, made rest, clear between last 2, eased close home, easily
chased leaders, lost place approaching 6th, soon behind
mid-division, behind approaching 7th, lost touch before 4 out, well tailed off
led until before 5th, chased winner, ridden and no impression between last 2, dropped to 3rd before last, kept on same pace flat
took keen hold, held up and behind, steady headway on inside before 4 out, went left and awkward 4 out, weakened from next
took keen hold, tracking leading pair, not fluent 2 out, ridden between last 2, weakened soon after
towards rear, plugged on, never involved
took keen hold, towards rear when stumbled and unseated rider 7th
not fluent 3rd, held up towards rear, never involved
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 5th, chased leaders 7th, went 2nd approaching last, kept on flat, no impression on winner
keen in touch, edged left and one pace in 4th from after 2 out
Western Xpress was third in two of his three starts over hurdles last season. His last two appearances were in a higher grade than this and Peter Bowen's bumper winner should be thereabouts. But POTTERS CORNER won the bumper on this card last year and his only subsequent run came when third in a Grade 2 at Aintree in April. He has plenty of scope and, as he obviously goes well fresh, could be the one to beat. Jonjo O'Neill wouldn't have booked Richard Johnson for newcomer Tried And Tested unless he'd been showing something while Winterlude won three times on the Flat in Godolphin colours and could be a useful recruit for Jennie Candlish.
Derrymix 4-1 (12-0) A bhnd; t.o, last of 5, dist behind Running Brook (12-0) at Hexham Points 2m 4f mdn sft in Jun.
Kelsey (IRE) 4-6 (11-7) Led 2-8 & 4 out til hdd 2 out; sn wknd, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Petite Power (12-0) at Cothelstone 3m mdn gs in Mar.
Potters Corner (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear on outside, stayed on from 2f out, went 3rd close home, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 19, 13 1/4l behind Barters Hill (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Prince Mahler (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) No hdwy 12; wl bhnd when pu 2 out, at Cothelstone 2m 4f mdn gs in Mar.
Right On Roy 25-1 (11-0) With leader, lost place after 5 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Super Sam (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Western Xpress (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Chased winner, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, chased leading trio, weakening when hit last, 5th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Border Breaker (11-9) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Winterlude (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) Always behind, 16th of 17, 22 1/4l behind Libran (9-13) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Arthur's Gift (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, one pace over 2f out, 5th of 13, 8l behind After Hours (11-4) at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Apr.
Loch Garman (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, lost place before next, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 10, dist behind Gioia Di Vita (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Seeanythingyoulike (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, took keen hold, fell 1st, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Sep.
The Bank Manager 6-1 (10-12) Soon led, headed after about 3f, chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, 9th of 13, dist behind Waterlord (10-12) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Tried And Tested (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Shean Alainn.
Buy Me Out 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly and not fluent 3rd, again slow and unseated rider next, at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Denboy (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of Miss Denman.
