chased leaders, took closer order 3 out, led next, hard ridden, ran on well (2 fences omitted)
with leader, led 6th, headed 2 out, soon rallied, kept on well under pressure
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace from last
led until 6th, weakened after next, tailed off, moderate 4th
Nonrunner
JUMP CITY won a novice event at Exeter last month but ran an even better race in defeat at Taunton last time when runner-up in better company than this. Paul Nicholls' charge had Falcon Island well behind and gets the vote. Rody ran no sort of race in the Grand Annual at the Festival last month having been raised 13lb for his earlier victory at Warwick. He's still preferred to the remainder as they all arrive out of sorts, although Idarah has slipped down the weights as a consequence and is back on a winning mark.
Rody (FR) 8-1 (10-11) In touch, mistake 3rd, hampered next, switched towards outside 7th, weakened 2 out (usual 3 out), tailed off, 13th of 23, well behind Alderwood (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar.
King Edmund 66-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, left in lead 10th, hit next, headed 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened, 12th of 23, well behind Alderwood (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Jump City (FR) 11-4 (9-12) Led, not fluent and headed 3rd, chased leader, led again 5th, headed 10th, challenged and blundered 3 out, well held and no chance with winner from next, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Hunt Ball (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs (2) gf.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 28-1 (10-2) In touch on outside when fell 9th, in a race won by Triolo D'Alene (10-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs, 29 ran.
Idarah (USA) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 10th, never on terms, well beaten 4 out, 8th of 9, well behind Michel Le Bon (11-7) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Falcon Island 8-1 (10-3) Chased leader, led 3rd, headed 5th, chased leader until 10th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Hunt Ball (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs (2) gf.
