prominent, lost place 8th, not fluent next, struggling 13th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway to chase leader 4th, led 6th, hit 3 out, headed before last, held flat, stayed on
led until 9th, chased leader, challenged 3 out, led before last, driven flat, idled close home
prominent, not fluent 1st, mistake 4th, lost place before 7th, behind from 11th, pulled up after 14th
held up on outside, closed 3rd, weakened before 4 out
reminders start, towards rear, ridden and modest effort 13th, mistake and weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up in rear, headway 12th, close 3rd before 4 out, one pace next, weakened 2 out
held up, not fluent 4th, last when not fluent 10th, behind when hit 12th, tailed off
River Of Intrigue became disappointing over hurdles after winning a Worcester maiden last summer but he starts his chasing career off a fair mark. Court King, a three-times winner over the smaller obstacles, should make a chaser and Compadre still has time on his side, though it’s a worry that he’s 0-6 over hurdles and fences. OPTIMISTIC BIAS (NAP) is a strong stayer and even though last month’s course and distance victory came on soft going, he handled quicker conditions over hurdles. Big Brother George may need the experience today.
Court King (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway after 8th, outpaced from 4 out, 9th of 17, 35 1/4l behind Shantou Bob (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Compadre (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader to 3rd, in touch, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 5, 13 3/4l behind Oliver's Gold (12-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Optimistic Bias (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Led, not fluent 1st, headed next, led 3rd until 4th, led 5th, headed 3 out, led next, in command flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) sft in Apr beating Muckle Roe (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Big Brother George (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Bumped 1st, 2nd before next, not fluent 6th, ridden and outpaced by front pair from 2 out, plugged on, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Indian Brave (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Apr.
Ballypoint (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, slight peck 11th (water), pushed along and went 2nd on long run before 4 out, stumbled 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 31 3/4l behind According To Harry (11-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Duke Arcadio (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Not always fluent, led, clear 5th until 10th, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, dist behind Dawnieriver (11-11) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
River Of Intrigue (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, hard ridden to challenge next, weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Thehossbehind (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Calin Du Brizais (FR) 8-1 (10-13) In rear, hampered 1st some headway 4 out, no impression, well held before 2 out, 7th of 15, 15l behind Diamond Fort (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
More Than Luck (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) With leaders on outer, outpaced before 5th, soon in rear, pulled up before 3 out, at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
