held up in rear, mistake 3rd, blundered 12th, good headway to go 3rd before 7 out, led 3 out, soon clear, eased heavily run-in
tracked leaders, chased winner from 3 out, kept on and no chance with winner
tracked leader, left in lead 5 out, headed 3 out, weakened next
led and jumped left, fell 5 out
tracked leaders, pushed along and reminders before 5 out, weakened next
CHURCHTOWN CHAMP was beaten only a head at Worcester last month on his first start since March and chasing debut. Dan Skelton’s charge will be suited by the ground and can go one better. Beggars Cross was tailed off at Aintree on his first start over fences while Pearl Swan has shown little in either start over the larger obstacles so far though faces an easier task on his reappearance. Hurdles winners Ballyhenry and Templehills make their chasing debuts with the latter preferred after a recent double over timber.
Churchtown Champ (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, in 3rd, ridden run-in and every chance, just held close home, 2nd of 5, hd behind Fayette County (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Pearl Swan (FR) 17-2 (11-0) In rear, jumped slowly 4th and 11th, hit 12th, lost touch 14th, 6th of 7, 29 3/4l behind Shantou Flyer (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct.
Ballyhenry (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Chased leaders on inside, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up approaching last, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Templehills (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, struggling from omitted 2 out, 12th of 15, dist behind Massini's Trap (10-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Beggars Cross (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on outside, jumped left 2nd, mistake 11th, struggling from 13th, mistake and well beaten 4 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Minellacelebration (11-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
