chased leaders, slow and reminder 3rd, behind 14th
led 2nd until 5th, led after 7th, headed 11th, led before next, soon headed, weakened 2 out
prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, lost place after 11th, behind 4 out, fell 3 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home
held up in mid-division, closed 8th, went 2nd after 15th, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear before last, easily
chased leaders, lost place before 9th, closed and ridden 12th, weakened 15th, pulled up before 3 out
rear of mid-division, mistake 12th, behind 14th
held up in rear, headway after 15th, no extra from 3 out
towards rear on outside, not fluent 13th or 14th, soon behind
led until 2nd, led 5th, headed after 7th, led again 11th, headed before next, soon led again, headed 14th, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 14th, headed after 3 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd and weakened flat
towards rear, modest 6th 3 out, kept on from 2 out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
NonRunner
A winner over course and distance on similar going last year, MINELLACELEBRATION looked as good as ever when cutting down Bandsman on the run-in at Uttoxeter in June. The handicapper has only raised him a pound and the 10-year-old is having a first run in a race of this nature. It’s a long time since Sametegal got his head in front but he wasn’t beaten far in a Grade 3 at Kempton in February and has been lightly raced in recent years. Vieux Lion Rouge won a veterans’ chase at Chepstow on his reappearance last year and races off the same mark and Vintage Clouds has a touch of class but the weight to match. Theatre Guide travelled strongly for a long way on his reappearance but has 12 lengths to find with Joe Farrell on that run.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Prominent on outside, led 5th (water), headed after 8th, remained in touch, ridden after 3 out, outpaced and no impression before next, 8th of 23, 15 1/2l behind The Conditional (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 9th, jumped slowly and lost place 13th, never on terms after, 7th of 14, 18 1/4l behind Jepeck (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Activial (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Led to after 1st, tracked leaders, lost place 12th, behind from next, lost touch when pulled up after 16th, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Sametegal (FR) 9-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, steady progress on inside approaching 10th, pushed along to chase winner 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Mister Malarky (11-0) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Minellacelebration (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost a few places after 4th, closed 14th, went 2nd 3 out, still 5 lengths down last, stayed on, led close home, won at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul beating Bandsman (10-2) by nk, 12 ran.
Joe Farrell (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit 12th, pushed along before 5 out, outpaced when mistake 5 out, no chance after, 6th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Present Man (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Ballydine (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, fell 2nd, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Prominent in chasing group, weakened 5 out, 7th of 12, 29 1/4l behind Present Man (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed next, no extra last, 2nd of 14, 8 1/2l behind Christmas In April (11-6) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
One Style (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Led or disputed lead and clear of rest to 11th, definate leader next, headed when fell 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Don Poli (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 21, dist behind It Came To Pass (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gs in Mar.
Pobbles Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In rear and in touch, went 3rd before 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, plugged on and no impression on front pair, 3rd of 6, 16 1/2l behind Seaston Spirit (10-2) at Taunton 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Brother Tedd 6-1 (11-9) In touch in rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Walt (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
