behind, mistake and hampered 6th, tailed off after, pulled up before 9th
chased leaders, 2nd before 11th, led 14th, clear after 3 out, wandering under pressure when headed last, no extra flat, lost 2nd post
prominent, lost place 5th, losing touch before 9th, pulled up before 10th
mistake 1st, soon mid-division, headway after 6th, lost place briefly 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, mistake 1st and 2nd, headway, still moderate 7th 3 out, 3rd but no chance with front pair 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 9th, 3rd when mistake 14th, 2nd 4 out until after 3 out, weakened 2 out, virtually pulled up flat, tailed off
with leaders, reminders after 7th, mistake 10th, soon weakened, in rear when mistake 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
raced keenly, led approaching 2nd, stumbled 12th, headed 14th, mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division on outside, improved 8th, still plenty to do before 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, stayed on flat, took 2nd post
in rear, headway 11th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, reminders after 1st, mistake 6th, headway 8th, mistakes 9th and 12th, weakened after 3 out
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
in rear, mistake 5th, fell next
led to 1st, lost place 4th, rallied 11th, outpaced approacing 14th, no impression after
ASHWELL LAD is a speculative choice in this wide open handicap chase. Backfromthecongo is consistent enough to consider as an each-way option, while Blaze Ahead and Ya I Know are not without a chance at this level. Ya I Know has to shoulder top weight, though. And as he comes here on the back of a below par effort on soft ground at Taunton, he now has a bit to prove. Blaze Ahead, on the other hand, has put together a sequence of decent performances and can again make the frame if he stays out of trouble. Similar comments apply to Backfromthecongo, who has done well since he arrived at Richard Lee's yard from Ireland. Still, he finds winning to be a difficult process and would never be one for maximum stakes. Neither, in truth, would the selection. However, Ashwell Lad has long threatened to win a race of this nature and, as he can be relied upon to try his heart out; is given another chance to shine today.
Ya I Know (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Always last, lost touch 10th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Cousin Nicky (11-10) at Taunton 2m 7f clm chs (3) sft in Mar, 5 ran.
Backfromthecongo (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) In touch, headway 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Bernard (11-7) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led and mistake 10th, headed next, led 12th to 4 out, still challenging 3 out, weakened approaching last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Crank Hill (11-2) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr.
Eight Fifty Six (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Led and jumped right throughout, headed 15th, ridden next, close up when fell 4 out, in a race won by Nicozetto (10-7) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs, 8 ran.
Prey Bird (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, ridden 8th, well behind and struggling 11th, 7th of 12, 33l behind Cross Kennon (12-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Ashwell Lad (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 11th, led after 14th, jumped right from next, ridden after 2 out, not fluent and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Bernard (11-7) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Outside Investor (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, hit 8th, reminders, weakened after 11th, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Keepitsecret (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf.
Chimichurri (FR) 18-1 (10-8) Led until blundered badly and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Crank Hill (11-2) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr, 8 ran.
Well Mick (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Mid-division, pushed along after 5th, never dangerous, 14th of 18, well behind Waltham Abbey (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd.
Auditor 14-1 (11-1) Always in rear, lost touch approaching 6th, 5th of 6, 27l behind Himba (11-6) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Jomelamin 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 15, 15l behind Bernard (11-7) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Arceye 14-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 8th, jumped right 11th, ridden 13th, weakened next, 7th of 13, 15l behind Chorizo (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Overton Lad 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, struggling 15th, no danger after, 5th of 11, 50l behind Ortega (9-7) at Southwell 3m 2f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Always behind, mistake 9th, struggling after 12th, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Push The Port (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Mar.
Ballyfin (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 15th, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 34l behind Present M'lord (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov '07.
Hever Road (IRE) 18-1 (10-10) Prominent, led 3rd to 5th, led 7th to omitted 3 out, weakened and blundered last, 6th of 17, 13l behind Lavenoak Lad (11-8) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd.
