chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on, driven out
in touch, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in
chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, rallied briefly run-in, no extra close home
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace
took keen hold in rear, steady headway after 7th, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, stayed on run-in to take 2nd final strides
hit 1st, towards rear, headway after 7th, weakened after next
mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 6th
mid-division until weakened after 7th
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and one pace after
mid-division until after 7th
raced wide in mid-division, struggling from 3rd, tailed off 5th, pulled up after 7th
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance when mistake last, kept on but no extra close home
in touch, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 6th, blundered next, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly run in, nearest finish
Nonrunner
In a really wide open contest, a chance is taken on Vingis Park over Nippy Des Mottes, Shining Strand and Smart Mover to name but three potential winners. This is a really hard race to sort out with so many lining up in form, including Vingis Park who absolutely hacked up at Aintree recently, the combination of first-time blinkers and a switch from fences helping his cause. Although he has to shoulder a seven-pound penalty, Victor Dartnell's charge should again make his presence felt. Nippy Des Mottes is on a retrieval mission after falling two out at Cheltenham in the race win by Hordago. He was going very well at the time and providing he does not have another lapse, is another that can be involved in the finish. Shining Strand had things well sewn up before the end at Wetherby and has been given a mark of 111 for his handicap bow. He seems a progressive sort and can pay to follow this season along with Smart Mover who just needs to brush up his jumping based on his Uttoxeter effort. Hoh Viss has topweight to overcome, but further down the handicap the likes of Lyes Green and Meadow Hawk, both also last-time out winners, can be considered for the frame. All in all this is a tough one to unravel and placepot players would do well to multiply lines, but our tentative choice is Vingis Park.
Screenplay 50-1 (10-6) Mid-division, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 8th of 23, 14l behind Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs.
Saltango (GER) 12-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened after last, 6th of 15, 8l behind Nathos (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gs.
Cousin Nicky 12-1 (10-5) In touch, lost place and mistake 5th, rallied 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 10, 13l behind Reservoir (10-10) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (E) gf in Mar.
Vingis Park (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) With leader, led 5th, driven clear between last 2, comfortably, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs beating Sergio Coimbra (11-6) by 11l, 9 ran.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 11-2jt-fav (10-2) Held up, headway 3 out, closed travelling well when fell 2 out in race won by Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs, 23 ran.
Shining Strand 7-2 (11-0) In touch, headway to track leader after 5th, led going well before 3 out, clear after next, unextended, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) gd in May beating Brooklyn Brownie (11-6) by 5l, 10 ran.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Whitford Don (11-1) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Mar '04.
Avalanche (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden when lost place after 9th, behind when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Trust Fund (10-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (B) sft in Apr, 9 ran.
Soleil Fix (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Led until 3 out, pressed leader, rallied to regain lead last, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft beating Saltango (11-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Lyes Green 13-8fav (10-12) In touch, outpaced 3 out, ridden after next, went 2nd after last, ran on well to lead final 150 yards, soon clear, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (E) hvy beating Imperial Royale (10-2) by 6l, 12 ran.
Smart Mover 7-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 3 out, stayed on approaching last but no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Oscar Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Abragante (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders from 4th, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 19, 5l behind Not Left Yet (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs.
Astyanax (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Pressed leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 24, 23l behind Water King (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gs.
Spring Lover (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders until 13th, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 29l behind Scots Grey (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd.
Swazi Prince 15-2 (11-2) Led, clear approaching 4th, headed after 9th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 5th of 9, well behind Mckelvey (11-8) at Ludlow 3m nov hdl (E) sft in Mar.
Novacella (FR) 13-8fav (10-10) Always prominent, led 2 out, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (E) gd beating Very Special One (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Hoh Viss 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, soon led, headed next, stayed again to lead last, ridden clear flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (E) hvy beating Lennon (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Miko de Beauchene (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Held up, headway, tracked leader from next, led and jumped left last 2, ridden clear flat, won at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) hvy beating Jaloux d'Estruval (11-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Meadow Hawk (USA) 5-2fav (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders from 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf beating Lord Nellsson (10-6) by 3l, 16 ran.
