mid-division, reminders after 13th, slightly hampered 16th, plugged on in never dangerous 6th from 3 out
towards rear, blundered 10th, never going after, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
held up in mid-division on inside, headway 14th, chased leading trio 16th, 3rd after 4 out, 2nd 2 out, 1 length down last, stayed on to lead run-in
took keen hold in rear, never remotely involved, tailed off
led, headed before 3 out, chased leader, driven along and lost 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd, breast girth broke
held up in rear, headway into mid-division 12th, reminders when slightly hampered 16th, modest 5th 4 out, plugged on
towards rear, pushed along before 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 15th
chased leader until 14th, lost place before next, weakened 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, reminders after 13th, losing place when hampered 16th, no chance after, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 14th, 5th when stumbled badly and unseated rider 16th
chased leaders, reminders after 6th, went 2nd 14th, led before 3 out, about 1 length ahead last, headed and not quicken run-in
always towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 12th, no chance after, tailed off
mid-division, reminders after 9th, weakened after 13th, no chance when blundered 16th, tailed off
chased leading pair until after 4 out, kept on same pace in 4th
A very competitive handicap chase in which several look to have decent claims. Paul Nicholls saddled last year's winner and has two contenders this time. Merrion Square arrives off the back of a hurdles victory at Worcester and is only a pound higher than when second at Sandown in December. Oscargo has his preferred surface and is also worth a second look while Sheriff Hutton and Ballybough Gorta were third and fourth respectively in the race last year - Martin Hill's 11-year-old is actually 11lb lower today. Stratford hurdles winner Qulinton and Whistling Senator are others to consider but Danandy continues to have problems with his jumping and unseated his rider when a hot favourite at Ffos Las last time. TEMPEST RIVER has had a break since a decent fifth at Punchestown but goes well fresh and she should get more time to measure her fences over this longer trip. Ben Case's mare has dropped to an attractive mark and may offer a bit of value here.
Adrenalin Flight (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 13th, close up 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 17, 27l behind The Romford Pele (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jun.
Merrion Square (IRE) 2-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven clear from last, eased close home, won at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Murphys Promise (10-13) by 6l, 7 ran.
Prince Tom 10-3 (12-6) Prominent, not fluent 12th, outpaced after next, lost place approaching 5 out, weakened before 4 out, mistake 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Paint The Clouds (11-12) at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Oscargo (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Took keen hold, led until 2nd, led again next until 5th, chased leaders, pushed along and weakened after 17th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 49l behind Guess Again (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Ballybough Gorta (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Jumped left at times, led until 5th, ridden next, lost place 9th, ralled 10th, struggling after 14th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Fentara (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May.
Tempest River (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Towards rear, slow 8th in rear, pushed along 4 out and some progress into 8th early straight, no impression approaching last, kept on into moderate 5th run-in, 5th of 15, 23l behind Burn And Turn (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp chs in May.
Politeo (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Soon mid-division on outside, closed before 6th, outpaced 3 out, soon well beaten, 8th of 11, 41l behind Detroit Red (10-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Whistling Senator (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, headway before 7 out, weakened from 5 out, 5th of 7, well behind Carloswayback (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jun.
Danandy (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) With leader, blundered and unseated 8 out, in a race won by Carloswayback (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jun, 7 ran.
Well Mett (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, closed 13th, led after 3 out, headed flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Universal Soldier (11-4) at Stratford 3m 4f hunt ch (3) gs in May.
Johnny's Way 12-1 (12-7) (cp) nvr on terms, 7th of 14, 11l behind Coombe Hill (12-7) at Exmoor 3m ptp gd in Jun.
Western King (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, ran in snatches, closed from 8th, struggling 14th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Double Whammy (10-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun, 10 ran.
Top Smart 16-1 (11-11) Led until 2nd, tracked leaders, mistake 13th (water), soon lost place, hit next, behind from 15th, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Dark Glacier (11-8) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Sheriff Hutton (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Prominent, led after 9th, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Princely Player (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Qulinton (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Made all, clear 6th, ridden after 2 out, unchallenged, won at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in May beating Monetary Fund (11-2) by 6l, 6 ran.
