held up in touch, chased winner 4 out, ridden from last, stayed on towards finish, always held
behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, blundered 8th, went distance 3rd approaching last
towards rear, weakened 13th, blundered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in rear, hampered 4th, tailed off when pulled up after 14th
held up towards rear, blundered 1st, headway 13th, soon weakened
chased leader, led 7th to 9th, weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 15th, ridden after last, kept on
behind from 8th, pulled up after 14th
led to 4th, weakened 13th, behind when refused 3 out
towards rear, soon pushed along, never dangerous
chased leader, led 9th, headed 11th, led again 13th, headed 15th, soon weakened
towards rear when fell 2nd
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 7th, led again 11th, headed 13th, weakened from 4 out
always behind and mistakes, pulled up after 14th
Neidpath Castle, Orchard House and GERSHWINNER are the three form horses in the race with the last named given the tentative vote. Gershwinner is still only lightly-raced and was the winner of a novice chase at Perth earlier in the month. He had shown signs of ability in a few hurdle races but looked every bit a chasing type. Although he has top weight to carry, given a realistic handicap rating of 104 he looks the best horse in the race. Orchard House caught the eye at Fontwell last time out when finishing second to Count The Cost. He has not been the easiest to win with but his trainer Evan Williams is going well at present so any market moves should be noted. Neidpath Castle is six pounds higher in the ratings since landing himself in the winner's enclosure at Hexham in March. He will love the real test of stamina and can not be overlooked if the going is on the softer side of good. With a large field this race will be highly competitive, but we feel that Gershwinner is still unexposed and is open to further improvement.
Gershwinner (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Always prominent, led before 3 out, drew clear from next, won at Perth 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs beating He's A Hotshot (11-7) by 7l, 13 ran.
Nelliedonethat (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Towards rear, outpaced when mistake 7th, 8th of 12, 35l behind I'm Your Man (11-6) at Hexham 2m hcp ch 0-95 (5) gd.
Orchard House (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Held up, headway into 4th travelling well after 4 out, left chasing winner 3 out, kept on and strong challenge flat, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Count The Cost (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Mitchel Henry (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Towards rear, struggling when blundered 13th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Ngong Hills (10-8) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 12 ran.
Big Bone (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 13, 15l behind Kinfayre Boy (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f sell hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Lady Roania (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up, lost touch 4 out, went badly right 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Keepitsecret (11-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf, 9 ran.
Murphys Beau (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 6th, effort under pressure after 14th, no impression, 5th of 16, well behind Sea Cadet (11-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Its Teescomponents (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Trckd ldrs; led aft 2 out til hdd app last; sn btn, 2nd of 7, 4l behind My Old Piano (12-0) at Heslaker 3m ptp.
Neidpath Castle 11-4 (10-5) Chased leaders, reminders 6th, stayed on to lead between last 2, soon clear, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar beating Tully Hill (10-1) by 18l, 5 ran.
Back To Bills (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, blundered 7th, weakened approaching 13th, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Hills Of Aran (10-11) at Southwell 3m beg chase (4) gd.
Arc Of Stone (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Led to 6th, chased leaders until weakened 4 out, 6th of 13, 39l behind Gershwinner (11-7) at Perth 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs.
Adams Wine (IRE) 4-6 (12-0) (tt) ap; led 3 out til mist nxt; kpt on one pce, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Knightsbridge King (12-0) at Whittington 3m ptp in Apr.
The Artful Fox 50-1 (10-11) Pressed winner to 4th, remained handy, pushed along 6th, reminders 9th, weakened approaching 13th, tailed off, 4th of 9, well behind Hills Of Aran (10-11) at Southwell 3m beg chase (4) gd.
Tully Hill 28-1 (9-13) Led 2nd to 6th, remained close up, left in lead 4 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Sea Cadet (11-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Off The Shelf (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Towards rear, mistake 3rd and 7th, blundered 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Chorizo (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf, 13 ran.
Bearneen Boy (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Led and soon clear, ridden 12th, joined next, headed 3 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Tigu (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
