towards rear, led briefly approaching 3 out, ridden and jumped well to lead 2 out, driven out and held on gamely flat
prominent, ridden 9th, weakened next, pulled up before last
chased leader until fell 8th
held up, well behind, headway 8th, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, left distant 3rd last
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, no chance with winner from last
prominent, chased leader 6th, weakened 9th
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, 3rd and held when mistake and unseated rider last
mid-division, ridden 8th, soon weakened
held up, slightly hampered 8th, left poor 4th last
Nonrunner
Copper Bay responded well to the first time blinkers when successful at Market Rasen last month and, given that they have the same effect today, Alan King's gelding is taken to follow up here and gets the vote ahead of Sou'wester and Count Kristo. The last mentioned was good value for his win at Fontwell last time but a 9lb rise for that success leaves Brendan Powell's gelding with more to do and he looks best watched. Oiseau de Nuit had shown progressive form prior to unseating his rider at Wincanton last time and may now be best watched, while Silver Inngot seems a shade high in the weights at present. Mango Catcher has more to do than when successful at Chepstow last time and of more interest may be Colin Tizzard's Sou'wester, who has been in good form of late but does have to defy a 9lb rise for his latest success. Several have chances but it is Copper Bay that gets the vote.
Sou'wester 9-2 (11-11) Jumped well, pulled hard in touch, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar beating Farmer's Lad (11-9) by 3l, 9 ran.
Copper Bay (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Moment of Madness (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Count Kristo 10-3fav (11-1) Chased leader, left in lead 2nd, headed 4th, led approaching 4 out, kept on, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Lease Back (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 13-8fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, blundered badly and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Coach Lane (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar, 4 ran.
Mango Catcher (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (10-10) Hit 1st, held up, steady progress from 7th, tracked leader 3 out, led soon after last, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Littleton Aldor (9-11) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ronald Jack (FR) 12-1 (10-3) Held up, took closer order 6th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 12th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Which Pocket (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Urban Tiger (GER) 10-3 (11-11) Held up, took keen hold, hard ridden flat, not run on, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Billesey (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Silver Inngot (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led, blundered 3rd, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Wizard of Edge (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
