led to 3rd, tracked leader, led 5th, headed narrowly 8th, led 4 out, clear from 2 out, hit last, kept on well
held up in touch, chased leading pair from 14th, hit 5 out, chased winner after 2 out, kept on, no impression
tracked leaders, led narrowly 8th, headed 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, weakened 13th
held up towards rear, reminders approaching 10th and 11th, weakened 12th
tracked leader, pecked 1st, led 3rd, headed 5th, lost place and towards rear 7th, fell 8th
TAKE THE STAND, Lisadell King, James Pine and Belem Ranger are the four to concentrate on in this six runner affair with marginal preference for Peter Bowen's veteran. He is not the only veteran performer in this field as Guy Maundrell is into his sixties but has shown that his enthusiasm for the game remains undimmed this season. Lisadell King has now won seven of his last eight starts and has to be feared following his win at Stratford. James Pine was far from disgraced in a warm race at Cheltenham but he could struggle to get the better of Take The Stand who was successful at the same meeting. That was a welcome return to form for the fourteen year old who responded to every question asked of him to get the better of Templer with the pair clear of the field. Belem Ranger is not dismissed but proved a shade disappointing last time so has something to prove as a result and preference is for Take The Stand.
Take The Stand (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Made all, hard pressed 3 out, ridden between last 2, 1 length clear when blundered last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd beating Templer (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Lisadell King (IRE) 15-8fav (12-1) Held up in touch, mistake 2nd (water), went 3rd after 3 out, stayed on well flat to lead towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 7f hts chs (5) gd in Apr beating Von Origny (11-3) by 1l, 5 ran.
James Pine (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced when left 3rd 4 out, ridden and no impression with leading pair from next, lost 3rd post, 4th of 11, 19l behind The Cool Guy (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Belem Ranger (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Jnd ldrs 11; wknd 3 out, 4th of 11, 23l behind Over To Joe (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd.
Thunder Hawk (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 7th to 12th, in touch, mistake 4 out, outpaced next, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 20l behind Silver Sedge (12-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (4) gs in Apr.
Prelude d'Estruval (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Behind, mistake 8th, struggling 17th, tailed off when pulled up before 21st, in a race won by Martha's Kinsman (11-0) at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (4) gd, 18 ran.
