held up in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, weakened before 2nd last
prominent, led 6th, driven 3 out, headed approaching next, no extra
tracked leaders, travelled strongly throughout, led on bit approaching 2nd last, soon clear, canter (8 fences omitted)
mid-division, blundered 3rd, outpaced after next, soon detatched
raced in rear, soon detatched, some late headway, never a factor
raced in rear, under pressure 8th, soon beaten
mid-division, progress to chase leaders approaching 5th, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led until 6th, weakened 8th, soon behind, some late headway, no impression
Nonrunner
Recent comfortable Fakenham winner KADOUNT is bound to be popular with backers to follow up that success and he gets the vote to do just that with the main dangers rated as Honourable Spider and Blaze Ahead. Brendan Powell's gelding was pulled up in the Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree on his most recent start but earlier form in the grade gives him every chance in this company and he has to be respected. Badger has shown better form in points of late and he has claims but has to give weight away all round, while Monica Tory's Gunner Be Quick showed little sign of ability on his only previous start under rules but has gone better in recent outings in points so he cannot be discounted. Suzy Bull's Honourable Spider has won his last three starts between the flags, latterly last month and he looks the main danger to Kadount, who can follow up his recent Fakenham win.
Badger 11-1 (11-0) Bhnd 7; hdwy 14; kpt on wl 2 out, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Lady Myfanwy (10-7) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Towards rear and jumped slow, soon tailed off, blundered 8th, reluctant at 10th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Silver Adonis (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs in Apr, 21 ran.
Kadount (FR) 13-8 (11-7) Tracked leader almost throughout, challenged 3 out, drew readily clear between last 2, eased towards finish, easily, won at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gf beating Thistlecraft (11-3) by 18l, 4 ran.
Ah Come On Tom (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Prom to 7; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by Art Trend (12-0) at Northaw 3m ptp gd, 12 ran.
Beluga (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Led 10; easy, won at Tweseldown 3m ptp gf in Apr beating Presenting Alf (12-0) by 20l, 4 ran.
Gunner Be Quick 9-2 (12-0) Led 6-9; chall 2 out; no ex flat, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Cape Stormer (12-7) at Hackwood Park 3m ptp gf.
Honourable Spider 2-7 (12-0) Made virt all; rdn clr flat, won at Aldington 3m ptp hvy in Apr beating Ben Alder (12-0) by 2l, 2 ran.
Sorry Al (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Lost plce 5; no ch 15, 4th of 11, 14l behind Stroom Bank (12-0) at Northaw 3m ptp gd.
Celestial Dragon (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) Held up; smooth hdwy app 3 out; led app last; rdn out, won at Holnicote 3m ptp gd beating Mrs O'connell (11-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
