chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, ridden after next, soon slightly outpaced, stayed on one pace from 2 out, edged right approaching last, went 3rd flat
led, mistake 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out, went left last
held up in rear, pecked 4th, lost touch from 6th, tailed off
prominent, mistake 1st, challenging when hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when mistake last
held up, headway 6th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, ridden and ran on flat
pulled hard, jumped right and bumped 1st, tailed off 2nd, pulled up after 3rd
jumped left, bumped and unseated rider 1st
hampered 1st, tailed off 2nd, pulled up after 6th
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden and lost touch after 6th, tailed off
raced keenly, chased leader from 2nd, led approaching 3 out, headed soon after last, one pace
behind, tailed off 3rd, pulled up before 3 out
First Fought has disappointed in his last two starts over fences and may be of interest dropped into selling grade back over hurdles but he is hard to back with confidence following those recent starts and preference is for Mr Wiseguy, who gets the vote with Limit rated the pick of the remainder. The selection disappointed behind Rapscallion at Fakenham last week but he is better than that effort suggests. It is interesting that Evan Williams tries him in blinkers for the first time here and that may just make all the difference. Desert Lover was no better than moderate on the flat and is already better over hurdles but does need to improve to trouble the judge. Rowan Lodge was a recent winner in this grade on the level but his jumps form of late leaves a little to be desired and of more interest may be Limit, who has shown a consistent level of form of late. Evan Williams trains the four-year-old but he has more solid claims with Mr Wiseguy and he is the one that gets the vote.
First Fought (IRE) 18-1 (9-9) Held up, hit 6th, struggling 8th, soon well behind, 7th of 8, well behind Snoopy Loopy (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Apr.
Mr Wiseguy 7-1 (11-5) Led, hit 3rd, headed approaching 5th, soon weakened, 10th of 12, well behind Rapscallion (10-12) at Fakenham 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Benellino 125-1 (11-0) Held up, no chance after 6th, 15th of 18, well behind Indian Star (11-2) at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Cloonavery (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden, went 2nd before 4 out, weakened quickly after next, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lightening Fire (10-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Desert Lover (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 6l behind Dr Dream (10-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gs in Apr.
Goodwood Spirit 33-1 (8-13) In rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 5l behind Punching (9-12) at Brighton 6f sll (6) gd in Apr (Flat).
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, weakened approaching last, 8th of 17, 15l behind Kingsbury (10-9) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Flamestone 100-1 (10-9) Behind when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Shavansky (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Leprechaun's Gold (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Soon struggling in rear, hit 5th, tailed off when fell 3 out in race won by Amazing King (10-11) at Plumpton 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Limit (GER) 5-1 (10-10) Pulled hard, always behind, no chance when blundered last, 7th of 9, 33l behind Cordage (10-7) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Stafford Will (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Hampered and fell at the 2nd in race won by Correy (10-5) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) frm in Nov, 6 ran.
