tracked leaders on outside, went close 2nd when blundered 2 out, soon beaten, 4th and weakening last
held up in touch on inside, pushed along 12th, outpaced in last when hampered on bend before 3 out, slipped and unseated rider
led, not fluent 7th or 10th, headed after 4 out, 4th and beaten when hampered 2 out, 3rd before last, one pace
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, soon led, clear before 2 out, idled and jinked right flat, pushed out
held up in rear, closed 10th, 2nd from after 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on
Banny's Lad has been well beaten twice since scoring by 12 lengths over course and distance in February off a 9lb lower mark. Oscatara is starting to slip down the weights so could be interesting and Quick Brew has had a recent pipe-opener over hurdles. Christmas Twenty appeared to be moving with purpose when making a terrible mistake last time at Wetherby. He was a quickly pulled up but a clear round here could see him in the picture. NINE ALTARS has been a little unlucky so far over the larger obstacles and may finally get his head in front today.
Nine Altars (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 6, 11 1/2l behind Honourable Gent (11-2) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Oscatara (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leading pair, 2nd when stumbled 4 out, driven along and no impression before 2 out, mistake and lost 2nd last, last of 3, 12l behind Masterplan (11-9) at Towcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Christmas Twenty (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, going well when blundered badly 4 out, not recover, pulled up, at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Banny's Lad 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 16 3/4l behind Swing Hard (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Quick Brew 33-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, in 7th before last, one pace, 7th of 13, 11l behind Beyondtemptation (10-13) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
