tracked leaders, mistake 6th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace flat
led until before 3rd, led 4th until 6th, stayed prominent until before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, not always fluent, blundered 15th, soon weakened, tailed off
with leader, led before 3rd, headed 4th, led again from 6th, edged right close home, held on
in touch in rear, jumped slowly 3rd, pushed along after 5th, jumped right next, headway 14th, outpaced 3 out, rallied before last, soon went 2nd, stayed on, just held
Hey Big Spender won one of these at Ascot in March but usually needs a run and blew up in this last year when finishing more than seven lengths behind eventual runner-up Pigeon Island. Nigel Twiston-Davies' grey is thrown in on his best form and Jamie Bargary takes off a further 10lb but he's looked to be on a downward curve this year. Burton Port was just touched off in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in the spring. He's 4lb higher but is a three-times Grade 2 winner and makes more appeal than the inconsistent Mcmurrough. LIE FORRIT was pulled up in his only start over fences last season in the Scottish National but was in good form over hurdles. A mark of 128 looks lenient and he could be a bit of value in this.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 5th of 11, 15l behind No Planning (10-6) at Haydock 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Burton Port (IRE) 8-1fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, led before 3 out, driven and headed flat, held close home, 2nd of 19, 3/4l behind Hadrian's Approach (11-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
McMurrough (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway before 10th, went 2nd 7 out, blundered 6 out, weakened after 5 out, pulled up, in a race won by Al Co (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 29 ran.
Lie Forrit (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden 7 out, soon weakened, pulled up, in a race won by Al Co (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 29 ran.
Pigeon Island 7-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, kept on from before 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 14l behind Lamboro Lad (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Apr.