not fluent, outpaced and struggling in rear, tailed off 9th, pulled up 12th
took keen hold, tracked leader, mistake 9th, led 10th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, stayed challenging under pressure until no extra last
outpaced and struggling in rear, blundered 7th, tailed off 9th, pulled up before 11th
always towards rear, well beaten when blundered 4 out
held up towards rear, stayed on from 4 out, 4th under pressure 3 out, one pace in 3rd 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway 11th, tracked leading pair going well 4 out, went 2nd next, led before when jumped right 2 out, clear from last, eased near finish
took keen hold, chased leaders in 3rd until outpaced approaching 2 out
mid-division, went 2nd briefly 4 out, outpaced by front pair 3 out, weakened
led at strong pace, mistake and headed 10th, weakened rapidly, tailed off
Earth Dream is marginally preferred to Pilgrims Lane of the two runners in this beginners' chase trained by Paul Nicholls but both may have to settle for minor honours behind ARMENIAN BOY. David Pipe's gelding has shown improved form over hurdles since the turn of the year and made an encouraging debut over the larger obstacles when chasing home Flemross in a novices' chase at Hexham last month and, with further improvement to come, he looks the one to be on. Chevy To The Levy was capable over hurdles and has shown promise over fences but he has twice unseated his rider in three starts and he needs to brush up his jumping to trouble the judge. Gordon Elliott's Mhilu is more than capable of taking a hand in the finish but he is another that has yet to translate his hurdles form to fences and looks best watched. Earth Dream is relatively lightly raced and makes marginally more appeal than stable companion Pilgrims Lane but Armenian Boy has an obvious chance and he is preferred.
Allez Frank (GER) 7-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, pushed along briefly after 5th, headway when hit 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon hung right, led and mistake last, soon headed, unable to quicken when carried left towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Cove Mountain (10-13) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Armenian Boy (FR) 11-8fav (10-12) Chasing leader through out, ridden to challenge before last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Flemross (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov stks (4) gd in Jun.
Brandy And Pep (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Behind when unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Danehill Willy (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nov stks (3) gd in Jun, 9 ran.
Chevy To The Levy (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, chased winner 9th, ridden 4 out, soon no chance, 4th of 6, 33l behind Just Amazing (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chase (5) gf in Jun.
Earth Dream (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, shortlived effort after 3 out, 5th of 8, 28l behind Markington (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Mhilu (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, 10th 5 out, soon no danger, 7th of 15, well behind Tryptronic (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chs sft in May.
Oscar Royal (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Bhnd til ur 5, in a race won by Micks Prospect (12-0) at Trecoed 3m ptp gf in Jun, 4 ran.
Pilgrims Lane (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Chased leader, headway to lead approaching 3 out, ridden after, kept on well from 2 out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun beating Berties Dream (10-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
The Raven Hare (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Checkpointcharlie (11-3) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl sft in Nov, 16 ran.
