led, jumped right 1st, hit 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, not quicken
chased leader to 2nd, held up in touch, outpaced 10th, no chance from 11th, tailed off
held up in rear, outpaced 10th, no chance from 11th, tailed off
not fluent 1st, chased leader from 2nd, challenged 3 out, soon pushed along, led flat, ridden and ran on
NonRunner
THE UNIT appeared to relish the return to steeplechasing when outclassing his field in style at Hexham. Overall, the opposition was not of the highest standard but he jumped and travelled fluently and the runner-up is a decent fencing prospect. It will be disappointing if he cannot follow up as his overall chasing form is the best on offer by far. Drinks Interval ran well in a competitive Aintree hurdle last month, is an interesting recruit to the larger obstacles and looks the only real danger granted a clear round first time over fences. Mister Mister is next best but it's hard to see him being good enough to trouble the principals.
The Unit (IRE) 4-9fav (10-12) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 10th, not fluent 12th, challenged last, led flat, ridden clear, won at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun beating Jacks Last Hope (11-4) by 5l, 8 ran.
Brandy And Red (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 5th, soon chasing leaders, weakened 4 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Auenwirbel (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Mister Mister (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, soon driven, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Jaleo (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun.
Drinks Interval 4-1 (12-1) Tracked leaders, switched outside before 2 out, went 2nd and challenged between last 2, led last, soon ridden, kept on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Final Reminder (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Kostaquarta (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Led, jumped left 2nd, slow and headed next, lost place 7th, not fluent 9th, mistake when weakening 4 out, mistake 3 out, 5th of 6, 37 1/4l behind Finnegan's Garden (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
