chased leader, not fluent 9th, not much room and very awkward 3 out, soon outpaced, eased and pulled up before 2 out, dismounted
mostly close 3rd, not fluent 1st, mistake 8th, led soon after 3 out going well, clear before last, pushed out
led, jumped slowly throughout, soon headed, not keen and beaten from 2 out
Nonrunner
Both Max Bygraves and Dead Or Alive will have their supporters here but it could pay to take a chance with THE WICKETKEEPER. The selection was a little unlucky when he was hampered by a faller last time out, but he still plugged-on to finish third behind Pairc Na Gcapall. This drop in trip is a big plus for him today and he could be the value call in this race. Max Bygraves has got trip and ground to suit and he won well last time out when getting the better of Novarra at Ludlow. He should go well, along with Dead Or Alive who is another who should find this drop in trip a positive. He did not do a lot wrong last time behind Bob Bites Back and he should win plenty of races this summer. Tim Vaughan has his string in good form which is another plus. American World has plenty of ability but he has failed to complete on his last two starts and the yard are finding winners hard to come by. All of which returns us to The Wicketkeeper as the selection.
The Wicketkeeper (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Held up, hampered 2nd, headway 12th, pecked 2 out, soon beaten, blundered badly last, took remote 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 30l behind Pairc Na Gcapall (10-6) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Mar.
American World (FR) 9-1 (10-11) In rear, hampered 1st, headway after 12th, went 3rd 2 out, soon chased winner, 2 lengths down when looked held, blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Leopold (10-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd, 12 ran.
King De Lune (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Chased winner from 9th, ridden before 2 out, held between last two, no impression and lost 2nd after last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Vial De Kerdec (10-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Irish Guard 9-2fav (10-5) Mistakes, led to 3rd, blundered 4th and 7th, in touch until blundered and weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Mount Benger (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd, 9 ran.
Max Bygraves 13-2 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, went second 2 out, ridden to lead before last, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd beating Novarra (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dead Or Alive (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) In touch, led 12th, headed next, led again 4 out, headed 2 out and no extra, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Bob Bites Back (11-5) at Chepstow 3m nov hts chs (5) gd.
