mid-division, blundered 9th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up
close up, mistake 1st, led 3rd until next, chased leaders, weakened from 2 out
held up behind, pushed along before 8th, plugged on from 4 out, never dangerous
always towards rear, blundered when weakening 4 out
held up behind, pecked badly 3rd, effort before 4 out, never dangerous
close up, went 2nd before 4 out, weakening when blundered 4 out
chased leaders, blundered 6 out, weakened before last
towards rear, blundered 5th, blundered 7th, one pace before 3 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, soon went 2nd, challenged when blundered 3 out, kept on same pace
behind, pushed along before 9th, weakened before 5 out
held up mid-division, headway on inner after 5 out, chased winner before last, kept on and always held towards finish
Some useful handicappers face the starter in this Listed chase but a market check is advised as the majority are reappearing following a break. Mon Parrain has been off longer than most and has top weight but Noble Legend and Green Wizard were going well in the spring while Cantlow was strongly fancied for a similar contest over 3m1f at Aintree in April but finished behind runner-up Mac Aeda and Duke Of Lucca. The last-named pair would definitely prefer a longer trip than this but Philip Hobbs' charge did have a run at Chepstow last month. Easter Meteor and Triptico may have more to offer this season but this looks too competitive for the in-form Sergeant Pink. FRONTIER SPIRIT is better off at the weights than when only third to Noble Legend at Haydock in March. He's gone well fresh in the past and may be the value in this.
Mon Parrain (FR) 7-4fav (11-10) Held up, headway 7th, went close 3rd after 16th, waited with from 4 out until ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 10l behind Ikorodu Road (10-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar '12.
Easter Meteor 7-2fav (11-4) Prominent, blundered badly 2nd, bad mistake next, lost place 4th, in rear after 6th, mistakes 7th and 8th, soon well behind and pulled up, in a race won by Johns Spirit (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Oct, 16 ran.
Cantlow (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway before 5 out, chased leaders 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 18, well behind Battle Group (10-9) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Duke Of Lucca (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 6th, pushed along and headed before 5 out, lost 2nd 4 out, chased leading pair until before next, not much room and weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 13l behind Al Co (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Oct.
Frontier Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) With leader, led 7th, headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Quincy Des Pictons (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Apr.
Ultimate 9-1 (11-9) Led, driven before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Current Event (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf in Jun.
Noble Legend 6-1 (11-1) Always prominent, led 11th, joined 2 out, stayed on well, clear inside final 100 yards, won at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar beating Patsy Finnegan (10-5) by 5l, 16 ran.
Green Wizard (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, in command when blundered last, soon ridden, kept on and just held on near finish, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs in May beating Seven Woods (11-5) by hd, 6 ran.
Triptico (FR) 20-1 (10-10) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, not able to get on terms, 4th of 12, 2l behind Cedre Bleu (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Mac Aeda 11-4fav (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last, 4th of 9, 9l behind Quincy Des Pictons (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Apr.
Sergeant Pink (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Took keen hold in touch, every chance from 4 out, hit 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Harouet (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Humbie (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden before 2 out, weakened after last, 5th of 10, 25l behind Lava Lamp (9-11) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in May.
Silver Roque (FR) 13-2 (10-13) In rear, ridden before 2 out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 50l behind Quincy Des Pictons (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Apr.
