disputed lead until took advantage 7th, not fluent and headed 3 out, weakened between last 2, jumped badly right last
jumped big 2nd, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, mistake 6th, never on terms
steadied start, took keen hold and behind, headway on wide outside approaching 7th, weakened after 2 out
held up, headway 14th, not fluent 15th, weakening when mistake 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway when mistake 4 out, 8 lengths 3rd when mistake last
mid-division, headway 10th, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, clear before 2 out, stayed on
headway 3rd, behind from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
in touch, reminder after 8th, mistake 15th, mistake 3 out and weakened
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, lost place 9th, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner
disputed lead until 7th, remained prominent, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, losing place when mistake 9th, blundered and unseated rider 10th
in touch to 3 out
mid-division, mistake 3rd, struggling 4 out
Nonrunner
Plenty to consider in this open contest and Even Flo gets the tentative vote ahead of Earcomesannie, Malmo Boy and Romney Marsh. Having only had the one run over fences so far, Even Flo should have improvement to come and having learnt from that experience, he looks worth siding with today. Malmo Boy must be high on anyones shortlist having won two out of four over fences and having recorded a course and distance victory as well, he looks sure to give it another brave go from this career high mark of 95. Romney Marsh steps up in trip which could pay dividends although she isn't straightforward. Earcomesannie is one for place purposes but tends to find at least one too good, so of more interest may be Jim Lad now back over a more suitable trip. However his win ratio is horrific and so for that reason we will pass him over and return to Even Flo as the selection.
Malmo Boy (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) With leader, led 11th, headed 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sharp Jack (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
The Howardian (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Held up last, mistake and weakened 8th, pulled up before 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Zimbabwe (10-4) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Romney Marsh 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, jumped right and virtually ran off course 9th, lost place, never nearer, 5th of 7, 10l behind Pan The Man (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Even Flo 25-1 (9-12) Behind, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Lets Go Dutch (9-13) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Darkshape 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, hampered next, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 12l behind Beau Nash (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Captain Machell (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up rear, headway to track leaders 9th, hit 11th, led 12th, headed 5 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Swings 'n Strings (10-7) at Chepstow 3m sll hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Read All About It (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, blundered 5th, headway 9th, blundered and lost place 12th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Major Belle (10-3) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr, 10 ran.
Toy Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) In rear, not jumped well, lost touch 7th and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Gan Eagla (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) gf, 6 ran.
Park Quest (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Led to 1st, chased leader after, jumped slowly 10th and 11th, soon demoted to last, struggling 3 out, plugged on after last, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Missy Moscow (10-9) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gf in Apr.
Earcomesannie (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Held up and behind, mistake 14th, soon adrift, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Missy Moscow (9-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Tipp Top (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Alwasy in rear, reminders 5th, 8th of 14, well behind Brigadier Du Bois (10-13) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs (5) gf.
Like The Buzz (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Held up; hdwy 13; went 2nd 3 out; kpt on flat, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Buckland Boy (12-0) at Pentreclwydau 3m ptp gd.
Jim Lad 10-3 (11-0) Always behind, ridden 8th, struggling 10th, 5th of 11, 32l behind River Indus (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Regal River (IRE) 28-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 15, 25l behind Malmo Boy (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs (5) gd in Mar.
Alf's Spinney 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Go Harvey Go (10-13) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Jolly Joe (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Led, not fluent and headed 5th, not fluent 7th, jumped slowly 10th, weakening when blundered and unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Itsmyboy (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd, 9 ran.
