tracked winner, not fluent and lost 2nd 12th, chased leading pair, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, ridden between last two, weakened and lost 3rd in closing stages
held up in 4th, outpaced 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on from last, went 3rd in closing stages
jumped well, made all, came clear after 2 out, very easily
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 12th, every chance when hit 2 out, soon held and no chance with easy winner, kept on for 2nd
A disappointing turnout but this may still prove an informative contest. El Namoose is the only one with experience of jumping fences having finished second to Sametegal at Huntingdon. He's proven on the ground so can't be ignored but THOMAS BROWN may have more class. He found Grade 1 company too hot over hurdles in the spring but has won twice in bumpers and over timber and looks the type to make a chaser. The mare Bon Chic was no slouch over the smaller obstacles last season and neither was Remind Me Later, though the latter generally preferred faster going.
El Namoose 13-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, stayed on, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sametegal (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (3) gs in Nov.
Remind Me Later (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, 4th and tracing leaders when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Thomas Brown 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders until after 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 16, dist behind Thistlecrack (11-4) at Aintree 3m (1) gs in Apr.
Bon Chic (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd briefly 5th, 2nd going well on inside on long run before last, led approaching last, came clear run-in, comfortably, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Whatdoesthefoxsay (11-10) by 3l, 7 ran.
