held up in touch in rear, went 3rd from 7th (normal 13th), led on long run to 3 out, jumped right and in command from 2 out, stayed on
tracked leader until 4th (normal 6th), outpaced 8th (normal 14th), soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 2nd (normal 4th)
led, headed on long run to 3 out, soon weakened, left 3rd last
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 4th (normal 6th), not much room on bend after 8th (normal 14th), not fluent 3 out, no impression on winner from next, stayed on same pace
in rear, pushed along after 7th (normal 13th), outpaced next, plugged on to take 3rd when mistake 3 out, no impression on winner but 2 lengths off the 2nd when mistake and unseated rider last
Nonrunner
Attimo has been in excellent form in recent weeks and a 7lb penalty for his victory at Southwell on Friday is unlikely to prevent another big run, though both victories were gained at around 2m4f and this is a much stiffer test. AULDTHUNDER is proving himself a fine performer over marathons on soft ground and though 8lb higher for last month's course and distance victory he can gain his fourth success in five starts. Chanceofa Lifetime battled to victory over the track and trip 10 days ago and looks certain to go well but Dystonia's Revenge is still looking high enough in the weights following last summer's victory at Carlisle. Feast Of Fire is just 1lb higher than his only success over fences at Uttoxeter so is another to consider in an open contest.
Auldthunder (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 13th, led 15th, hard driven 2 out, stayed on strongly (3 fences ommited), won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Jac The Legend (11-7) by 4l, 5 ran.
Dystonia's Revenge (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Led until before 8th, outpaced 4 out, no impression after, last of 5, 30 1/4l behind Ghost Of A Smile (10-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Chanceofa Lifetime (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 2nd before 11th, led before 15th, ridden between last two, joined and better jump last, ridden out to hold on, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Apr beating Jonny Eager (11-12) by hd, 6 ran.
Tutchec (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Disputed lead, blundered 11th, went on soon after, mistake and headed next, chased leaders until weakened 5 out, pulled up next, at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Feast Of Fire (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, effort to challenge on outside after 4 out, not fluent next, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened before last, 6th of 7, 37 3/4l behind Gibbstown (11-3) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Urban Gale (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) With leaders, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden and lost place between last 2, weakened last, 5th of 7, 36l behind Gibbstown (11-3) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Attimo (GER) 7-4fav (12-2) Pressed leader, led briefly 4th, led 12th, joined when not fluent 2 out, strongly pressed last, driven and stayed on to assert towards finish, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Mondo Cane (11-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
