held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 7th, jumped left 4 out, led 2 out, ran on
led, clear after 2nd, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway 9th, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
in rear, soon lost touch, pulled up before 6th
chased leaders, jockey looking down after 1st and after 2nd, lost place 4th and pulled up
tracked leader who went clear after 2nd, ridden 9th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, dropped to last 7th, hampered and behind 9th, tailed off
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 9th
Marodima will make this a true test but often struggles to get home under big weights and hasn't been at his best since scoring over hurdles at Fontwell in February. Exulto is probably best watched after beating only one home when odds-on for a novice chase at Huntingdon last month, though was entitled to need that run. Misamon was in good form last summer but has finished last in his two most recent races while Papradon generally struggles to get his head in front and is still 9lb higher than when scoring over C&D in August. SKY CALLING won easily on his chasing debut at Worcester and is fancied to defy a penalty here, though Deputy Dog could be a danger if improving on his Bangor second.
Dominican Monk (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, effort before 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 6th of 8, 47l behind Knight In Purple (10-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Apr.
Marodima (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Led, headed before 6th, tracked leader until 7th, soon in rear, mistake 9th, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Russian Flag (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Exulto (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Tracked leader, took keen hold, not fluent, led approaching 5th, headed next, soon led again, headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Shadrack (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Beside The Fire 6-1 (11-11) With leader, mistake 2nd, weakened approaching 6th, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Quincy Des Pictons (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Deputy Dog (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent and reminder 2nd, not fluent 4th, chased winner 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Trooper Clarence (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Amble Forge (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Always in rear, last of 8, 41l behind Sky Calling (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Misamon (FR) 7-1 (11-9) In touch in 4th, weakened from 7th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Bushwacker (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) fm.
Papradon 9-2 (11-5) Led until 1st, tracked leader, not fluent 4th, reminders after next, not fluent 6th, ridden 3 out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Beauchamp Viking (10-4) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Sky Calling 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, went 3rd 4th, closed after 8th, went close 2nd going well 4 out, led last, very easily, won at Worcester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd beating Pin D'Estruval (10-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
