in touch, keen early, mid-division 4th, pushed along after 10th, outpaced in modest 7th 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, went modest 4th flat
prominent, not always fluent, lost place after 5th, behind from 8th
jumped right, last when mistake 1st, soon detached and never going, blundered 7th, tailed off 10th
chased leaders, pushed along 10th, weakening when jumped left 3 out
mid-division, pushed along after 5th briefly, headway approaching 9th, challenging 3 out, chasing winner after, edged left approaching last, one pace flat
made all, jumped left 1st, pressed 3 out, edged left after last, ridden clear, ran on well
prominent, hit 8th, close 2nd next, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, lost place when not fluent 4th, mistake 7th and 9th, struggling when blundered 10th, tailed off
mid-division, in rear 7th, behind from next
held up towards rear, mistake 9th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, challenging 9th, every chance 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th when mistake last, tired and lost 3 places flat
prominent, hit 2nd, blundered 7th, unseated rider soon after
held up towards rear, headway approaching 8th, pushed along after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, took 3rd flat
RIEN A PENDRE is given the vote to land the opener at the expense of Bonne Noel's and Alroyal. The selection was in winning form at Newton Abbot last month completing a hat-trick having won two point to points prior to that. He had shown form over in his native Ireland over the past couple of seasons but that was his sole success under national hunt rules. If he reproduces his recent form he ought to take all the beating. Bonne Noel's won between the flags during the winter and followed up with a success at Fakenham last month. He did disappoint though at Southwell last time out which of concern. Alroyal followed on from a win between the flags by scoring at Newton Abbot in March. He was well beaten though on a quicker surface at Ludlow last time out and will need to fair better this time around if he is to trouble the judge. This is not the hottest of hunter chases but we will return to the in form Rien A Pendre as the most likely winner.
Alroyal (GER) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders and keen, mistakes and weakened 11th, 8th of 14, well behind Bob Hall (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f amat chs (5) gd in Apr.
Bonne Noel's (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Held up in touch, challenged 13th, every chance 4 out, mistake 3 out, beaten when jumped left 2 out, soon edged right and weakened, 4th of 6, 12l behind Celtic Boy (11-7) at Southwell 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Enitsag (FR) 12-1 (11-9) In touch, weakening when mistake 11th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Bob Hall (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f amat chs (5) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Milesian King (IRE) 4-7 (12-7) (tt) led 2-13; led 2 out; held on wl, won at Lockinge 3m ptp in Apr beating Zirkel (12-7) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Reflector (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up, hampered 6, not fluent 4 out, headway 11th, in touch after 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Rowdy Yeats (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Rien A Perdre (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear when blundered last, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gf in Apr beating Holly Walk (10-12) by 7l, 14 ran.
Benny Boy (IRE) 10-1 (12-5) Ap; led 14 til hdd aft 2 out; no ex flat, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Gunner Royal (12-5) at Corbridge 3m ptp in Apr.
Gulabill 2-1 (12-0) (tt) eff up 15; went 2nd bet last 2; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Noeud Vert (12-0) at Paxford 3m ptp in Apr.
Hi Fi 7-1 (12-0) Drpd rr 9; rallied 13; wknd 15, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Trade Off (12-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp in Apr.
Hop Pocket 4-1 (12-0) (cp) (tt) led til hdd 7; wknd aft 15, 2nd of 3, 25l behind Fresh Love (12-7) at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp in Apr.
Maranach (IRE) 2-5 (11-7) Led 14; in comm 2 out, won at Upton-upon-severn 3m ptp in Apr beating Olivier (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.
Needs Time (IRE) 11-10 (12-0) Led to 2; led 8; v easy, won at Lockinge 3m ptp in Apr beating Rustic John (12-7) by 40l, 2 ran.
Ryeman 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, disputing 2nd 2 out until fell last, in a race won by Rien A Perdre (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Iphar (FR) 8-1 (12-0) W ldr 13-3 out; wknd, 4th of 10, 35l behind Willie The Kid (12-0) at Garthorpe 3m ptp in Mar.
