tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden clear after next, mistake last, comfortably
prominent, led 2nd, headed when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
tracked leaders, hard driven when left in 3rd 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear but in touch, headway to track leaders 10th, soon ridden, fell 4 out
held up in rear but in touch, headway 10th, soon chasing leaders, left in 2nd 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
led until 2nd remained prominent, lost place 11th, left in 4th 4 out, weakened flat
settled in rear but in touch, not fluent 4th, blundered next, ridden 9th, stayed on to go modest 4th after last
After scoring between the flags, in bumper company and over timber, much was expected of IMJOEKING when Lucinda Russell wasted little time in sending her gelding over the larger obstacles. Whilst revealing promise for the future, his overall fencing profile last term can probably be be viewed as underwhelming, so it was good to see the son of Amilynx put in a stylish round at Hexham in an admittedly modest affair on his return to action. He has to concede plenty of weight all round but hopefully can do just that and confirm his jumping career is now on a firmly upward trajectory. Irish raider Maddoxtown has to be a threat in receipt of nearly two stone for the Hennessy team with dual hurdles winner Veloce next best on his fourth chase start for Donald McCain.
Imjoeking (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Held up early, disputed 2nd before 5th, tracked leader 7th, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m nov chs (4) gd in Jun beating Harrys Whim (10-5) by 8l, 5 ran.
Ballygrooby Bertie (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, well behind Oliver's Gold (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Veloce (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, challenged 8th, led after 10th, headed 2 out, edged left towards finish, no impression close home, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Forever My Friend (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
The Ice Factor 9-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 16l behind Mo Rouge (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Roc De Prince 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, blundered 2 out, headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Oliver's Gold (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Mwangaza (FR) (10-5) 8th of 13, well behind Mallorca (10-5) at Enghien(FR) 2m 1f 4yo hcp chs gs in Apr.
Maddoxtown (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, slightly impeded 8th, improved into 4th 2 out, on terms and every chance run-in, headed near finish, 2nd of 14, 1l behind The Baler (9-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp chs 0-109 gf in Jun.
