tracked leaders, went 2nd 1st, not fluent 11th, led approaching 4 out, blundered badly at fence and soon headed, mistake 3 out, rallying and about 1 length down when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
held up, headway 2nd, not fluent 13th, challenging when left in lead 4 out, ridden clear flat
led until approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leader until 1st, in touch, jumped slowly 2nd, hit 11th, not much room and last 12th, outpaced after 14th, no impression 4 out
held up in touch, not fluent 12th, went 3rd approaching 4 out, hamnpered and left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner
in touch towards rear on outside, not fluent 10th, no impression 4 out
Nonrunner
HAROUET outbattled Causing Chaos here last time over this trip and is young enough at seven to improve further over fences with just half a dozen runs over the larger obstacles under his belt. He's yet to actually win on good ground but has handled it well enough in commendable placed efforts and can defy a 3lb rise for that recent victory. Jonjo O'Neill runs a couple who both return from absences in Calypso Boy and Chesapeake and both must be treated with the utmost respect in view of the yard's success rate with such types. The former is preferred of the pair. Lucky Mix is interesting too with Philip Hobbs opting to send his charge in to handicap company for this chasing bow.
Sound Stage 16-1 (11-6) Prominent, close up after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 17, 40l behind Henry Hook (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Harouet (FR) 11-4 (11-9) Held up in touch, jumped slowly 1st, hit 10th, mistake next, not fluent 12th, ridden after 14th, went 3rd before 4 out, stayed on under pressure to challenge last, soon led, in command towards finish, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Apr beating Causing Chaos (11-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Ethiopia 100-1 (9-9) In touch mistake 10th, ridden and weakened 16th, behind 18th, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Tidal Bay (11-12) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Apr, 19 ran.
Calypso Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division on outside, struggling 14th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Morning Moment (11-5) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Whispering Jack 14-1 (10-6) Prominent, led 9th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakening when stumbled last, 8th of 20, 29l behind Alpha Victor (10-8) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Chesapeake (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, jumped left 1st, pushed along after 9th, 5th and in touch after 15th, mistake when weakening 4 out, 6th of 11, 27l behind Only Witness (9-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Lucky Mix 15-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway to track leader when mistake 9th, effort when mistake 3 out, 3rd and outpaced next, no impression flat, 4th of 8, 6l behind Wild Rhubarb (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in May.
