led or disputed lead throughout, went on 4 out, ridden before next, joined 2 out, driven out flat, kept on well towards finish
held up, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair approaching last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, upsides last, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, no extra towards finish
held up in rear, close up 11th, ridden after 3 out, weakened from next
led or disputed lead to 4 out, soon behind and outpaced, pulled up before next
held up, tracked leaders 8th, ridden after 3 out, 4th and beaten next
NEVER COMPLAIN was a wide-margin winner of this 12 months ago. Out of his depth in the Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree last month, he’d finished third at Leicester the time before and can get the better of Can Mestret, who stopped as if shot last time at Fakenham having looked certain to win when going clear on the final circuit. Forever My Friend has been beaten a long way in both starts this year but would have every chance on past form.
Forever My Friend (IRE) 50-1 (12-2) Prominent, led 8th, headed 6 out, weakened 2 out, 13th of 19, dist behind Mr Mercurial (12-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in May.
Never Complain (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Mid-division, headway before 11th, blundered 4 out, weakened before last, 10th of 21, dist behind Balnaslow (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Can Mestret (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Close up, tracked leaders 14th, led 3 out, clear soon after next, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Strollawaynow (12-0) at Fakenham 3m (6) gd in May.
Fountains Cider 7-1 (12-0) (tt) chsd ldrs to 11; lost tch 13; t.o, 4th of 5, dist behind Margot Fontane (11-7) at Aldington 3m gs in May.
Hammer And Anvil (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) (cp) led 2-3 & 7-10; led 12-14; wknd qckly 3 out; t.o, 4th of 12, dist behind Kalinite (12-0) at Hackwood Park 3m mdn gd in May.
Hazy Tom (IRE) 6-4 (11-0) (tt) went 2nd 8; led aft 14 til hdd nxt; ev ch 2 out; wknd flat, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Dont Do Mondays (10-13) at Aldington 3m gs in May.
