led until after 4th, mistake 6th, headed after 7th, weakened after 2 out
held up and behind, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, challenging when ducked in behind leader flat, switched left, not quicken
mid-division, headway after 7th, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, mistake 5th, never dangerous
keen early, prominent,, not much room when not fluent 3 out, soon lost place and hung left, switched right 2 out, rallied last and still hanging, stayed on under strong pressure to lead near finish
mid-division, some headway 3 out, never near leaders
mid-division, headway 7th, went 2nd 3 out until after 2 out, weakened flat
in touch, not fluent 3rd, weakening when not fluent 7th
chased leader, led after 4th, blundered 6th, headed after next, weakened 3 out
always behind, losing touch 6th, tailed off
in touch, not fluent 4th, led after 7th, ridden after 2 out, headed near finish
in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
held up in rear, struggling after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before last
ran in snatches, chased leaders until approaching 3 out, tailed off
This has quite a competitive look to it on paper. We're going to side with Wheelavit but the likes of Harry Potter, Three Ships and Kingscourt Lad all boast leading claims. The selection failed to take to chasing last time and has been quickly dropped in grade and returned to racing over the smaller obstacles following that display. He has been keeping some fair company over hurdles and has shaped well on occasion, including when finishing around an eight length fourth to Jack The Giant at Cheltenham. This is a marked drop in grade and he may be able to take advantage of it. Harry Potter went close in a claiming hurdle at Fontwell last time and has leading claims on that form whilst Kingscourt Lad battled on gamely to win over course and distance last time but that win came on good to soft and he carries a penalty for it. Three Ships failed to run his race last time but has every chance if he can reproduce the form that saw him make the frame on his previous three starts in similar company. Several to consider then but Wheelavit will do for us.
Kingscourt Lad (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Made all, ridden flat, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) gs in Feb beating Factor Fifteen (11-2) by a nk, 12 ran.
Bond Cruz 16-1 (11-1) In touch, effort after 3 out, weakened before next, 12th of 13, 37l behind Magic Merlin (11-3) at N Abbot 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Cellarmaster (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Prominent, chased leader 3 out, soon led, blundered 2 out, soon headed, one pace after, 5th of 14, 8l behind Huguenot (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Discomania 5-1 (9-6) Chased winner until 2nd, ridden 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 4, 1/2l behind Beau Torero (11-9) at Fakenham 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Harry Potter (GER) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Marc of Brilliance (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in May.
Just Intersky (USA) 66-1 (10-0) Always behind, 9th of 14, well behind The Rocking Dock (9-13) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Always behind and carried out in race won by Mango Catcher (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May, 11 ran.
Makandy 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, effort 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, soon no impression, 5th of 12, 12l behind Fuel Cell (10-13) at Wetherby 2m mdn clm hdl (5) gd.
North Walk (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) In rear when hampered 2nd, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Decree Nisi (11-5) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar, 17 ran.
Pole Dancer 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in touch, lost place after 5th, no chance when hampered 2 out, 6th of 11, 49l behind Winsley Hill (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Three Ships 5-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway and switched left approaching 3 out, switched right and no response approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Dandygrey Russett (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Wheelavit (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Chased leading pair until 9th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Poquelin (10-12) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gf in May, 7 ran.
Marque Deposee (FR) 80-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Axinit (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Psychic Star 9-1 (11-2) In rear, hampered 2nd, reminder after 3rd, mistake and hampered 5th, struggling after 6th, 11th of 14, well behind Craughwell Suas (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gf.
