mid-division, driven along after 8th, no progress
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to lead 2 out, asserted and stayed on well flat
led, headed when fell 2nd
held up in rear, tried to close front 3 out, soon ridden, no impression
raced keenly, mistake 6th, ridden after 3 out, hung right after 2 out, one pace
held up, smooth headway from 8th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, not quicken flat
prominent, led 7th to 8th, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, lost place after 7th, behind from next
held up, headway 7th, still travelling well before 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on same pace
Another wide open contest with many in with chances including Albarino, Island Of Memories and Storm Of Applause with the vote going the last named. Storm Of Applause was a little ring rusty on his chase debut but can put that experience to good use here. He managed to win over hurdles off a mark of 92 and he is more than capable of winning a chase off his current mark. Albarino doesn't win very often but did get his head in front at Ludlow last month. He was not discredited at Huntington last time out and is one for the short list. Island Of Memories runs off bottom weight and caught the eye when a good second to Pauntley Gofa last time out. He has had his jumping problems though which has let him down in the past. So for the winner we return to Storm Of Applause.
Dune Raider (USA) 14-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 7th of 13, 34l behind Franco (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Something Wells (FR) 9-2 (11-7) In touch, ridden well after 7th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 16, 19l behind Royal Katidoki (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
So Many Questions (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened 5 out, 8th of 9, 37l behind Petit Lord (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Albarino (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Raced keenly, well off the pace in last, until closed 5th, effort 10th, soon beaten, went moderate 3rd after last, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Josear 14-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, 4th and weakening when blundered last, 6th of 11, 19l behind Dishdasha (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 6-4fav (10-11) Held up last, blundered 11th and lost place, kept on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 7, 7l behind Manly Money (10-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Kayceecee (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Held up, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 29l behind Brown Teddy (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Tyssac (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 7, 17l behind Pauntley Gofa (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Ground Breaker 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 5th, beaten when pulled up at the 7th in race won by No Greater Love (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May, 8 ran.
Karoo 8-1 (10-13) Held up, pecked 1st, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, jumped left, mistake and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Pauntley Gofa (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Island of Memories (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division, hung left from 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Pauntley Gofa (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
