held up towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, hard ridden run-in, led post
held up in rear, blundered and unseated 7th
chased leaders, led 3 out, upsides when fell 2 out
soon towards rear, headway 8th, ridden approaching last, led narrowly run-in, headed post
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
led, clear 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
held up behind, headway 8th, stumbled on bend after next, upsides when left in lead 2 out, ridden after last, headed narrowly run-in, held close home
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced from 7th
chased leader until 4 out, soon ridden, weakening when fell 2 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden next, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, outpaced from 7th
Nonrunner
Mughas, Boychuk, Rebel Rhythm and Westender could be the four to concentrate on and we shall side with Mughas. Alan King's charge is a classy sort who has not achieved everything that he should have done as a result of substantial injury problems during his career. Although lightening fast ground is far from ideal for any National Hunt horse - he has acted on good before and has no problems with the trip. A ready winner at Ayr, there was plenty to like about that performance and we shall side with him here. Boychuk takes on the big boys on this occasion and is markedly stepped up in trip. The Hobbs team have had a habit of plundering the big prizes in recent weeks and the gelding is off a light racing weight. Rebel Rhythm invariably runs well in small fields and he gained due reward for consistency at Wetherby. He is likely to be up there throughout but this is a much trickier affair than he has been tried at of late. Westender does not appear to be the most obvious of the Martin Pipe horses (especially with Timmy Murphy aboard Classified) but the return to Haydock Park could be ideal for the outsider. Fifth to Macs Joy in the Swinton a couple of seasons ago - this quirky customer still maintains a modicum of ability and should be thereabouts if consenting to use it. With Quick and Double Honour both entered - there will be plenty of early pace assured. Turtle Soup has won here on softer going while Monolith could be of interest if there is any early support. A competitive renewal for one of the leading summer prizes and Mughas is taken to land the spoils.
Mughas (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to track leaders when hit 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out and drew clear from last, won at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr beating Indy Mood (9-7) by 10l, 11 ran.
Westender (FR) 12-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden from 3rd, chased leader 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 10l behind Darrias (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Classified (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden and went left 2 out, 3rd and no chance with front 2 when bad mistake last, heavily eased, 9th of 12, 50l behind Mighty Man (11-6) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Led 1st to 4th, remained prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 15th of 30, 21l behind Sky's The Limit (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Lord Sam (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, steady headway from 3 out, led soon after 2 out, headed between last 2, no extra, 4th of 18, 9l behind Standin Obligation (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gd in Apr.
Rebel Rhythm 2-5fav (11-8) Jumped right, led after 1st, clear from 3 out, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Apr beating Iron Man (11-8) by 28l, 5 ran.
Quick 40-1 (10-13) Led and soon clear, reduced lead approaching 2 out, headed soon after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 18, 16l behind Standin Obligation (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gd in Apr.
Boychuk (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Led, mistake 4th, headed after 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Oscatello (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Double Honour (FR) 100-1 (10-7) With leaders, led 15th, headed 20th, weakened 5 out, 18th of 30, well behind Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Back To Ben Alder (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, stayed on from last, 5th of 24, 6l behind Strangely Brown (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Inching Closer 12-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden after 9th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon once pace, 4th of 11, 11l behind Mughas (11-5) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Indy Mood 50-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden and ourtpaced and lost place approaching 9th, stayed on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Mughas (11-5) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Monolith 11-1 (10-10) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 11, 15l behind Mughas (11-5) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Truckers Tavern (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) fell 1st in race won by Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
