prominent, dropped to midfield before 9th, ridden before 4 out, lost touch 3 out, soon tailed off
led, 1 length ahead 3 out, soon pressed for lead and ridden, disputed lead 2 out, soon headed, weakened approaching last
midfield, headway before 9th, close up in touch with leader 3 out, soon ridden to press leader, disputed lead 2 out, sustained duel with rival approaching last, kept on run-in, just outbattled near finish
midfield, not fluent 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and briefly in touch with leading group, weakened before last
prominent, headway before 3 out, soon pressed leader, travelling okay 2 out where disputed lead, sustained duel with rival approaching last, kept on well run-in, led near finish, game
held up in rear, mistake 4th, slow jump 10th, soon ridden, mistake 11th, soon outpaced, not fluent 12th, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway into midfield before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression before 2 out, weakened approaching last
Just 9lb between the seven and Heartbreak Kid aims to follow up last month's course and distance win off a 5lb higher mark. He's well respected despite the concession of weight all round, but maybe NORLEY, third that day, can reverse placings. He's 6lb better off for just over ten lengths but is still learning his trade over fences compared to his conqueror and looks the sort with more to offer over fences. Course and distance winner, Yggdrasil is hard to assess and a watching brief is advised on debut for David Pipe unless the market speaks otherwise. Midnight Jewel appeals as a reliable shortlist prospect returning to fences, whilst Fire Away, Joly Maker and Ridgeway are not ruled out but all three probably need to find something extra to land the prize.
Heartbreak Kid (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Chased leader until 7th, lost place after 3 out, switched right and closed 2 out, led before last, drew clear flat, stayed on well, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May beating Gouet Des Bruyeres (10-8) by 6l, 5 ran.
Yggdrasil (FR) 4-1fav (11-11) Disputed lead, tracked leader close up after 4th, hit 7th and 8th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 9, 30l behind Allo Allo (11-2) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Norley (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up in 4th, not fluent 6th, closed 11th, not fluent next, close up and switched left after 2 out, 3rd and no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 10 3/4l behind Heartbreak Kid (11-11) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Fire Away (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 9th, headway 4 out, weakened after last, 4th of 8, 22l behind Ubetya (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Midnight Jewel 13-2 (11-11) Led after 1st, soon headed, chased leader, pushed along after 3 out, 4th and no extra last, 4th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Blue Shark (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Ridgeway (FR) 7-2 (12-2) Close up, chased clear winner approaching omitted 3 out, plugged on, 2nd of 5, 18l behind And The New (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in May.
Joly Maker (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, outpaced in 4th after 3 out, no impression when hampered and left 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 23 1/2l behind Steel Wave (10-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
