chased leaders, pushed along briefly 20th, outpaced 5 out, ridden into 4th before last, kept on, not reach leaders
led, not fluent 21st, headed approaching 6 out, weakened between last 2
pressed leader, led approaching 6 out, driven and headed narrowly after last, ridden to regain lead flat, stayed on well
tracked leaders, challenged 6 out, outpaced 3 out, weakened before last
in touch, outpaced 5 out, ridden before 2 out, never on terms, weakened before last
tracked leaders, driven to chase front pair before 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, not quite pace to get on terms
held up in rear, headway to join leaders when went wide 6 out, went 2nd 3 out, led narrowly after last, ridden and headed flat, kept on, no extra towards finish
TIGER ROLL won the big cross-country race at The Festival here in March when Josies Orders was unplaced and Bless The Wings failed to complete. The latter pair are much better off at the weights but the top weight went on to land the Grand National at Aintree in courageous fashion and he looks capable of making a winning reappearance on a track on which he thrives. Midnight Shot is having a first look at these unique obstacles and recent wins have come on minor tracks. There is also a big question mark over his stamina but Fact Of The Matter is a dour stayer, though Jarob makes more appeal as he was placed off a higher mark when last running in a handicap over fences.
Tiger Roll (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Never far away, hampered 6th (bechers), went 2nd after 3 out, led narrowly next, driven 5 lengths clear before elbow, ridden and tired inside final 50 yards, just held on, won at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Apr beating Pleasant Company (10-11) by hd, 38 ran.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked clear leader disputing 2nd, left disputing lead 6 out, headed 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, no impression in 4th before last, 4th of 10, 21 3/4l behind Auvergnat (12-7) at Punchestown 4m 1f Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Josies Orders (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, 13th after 7th, no extra before 2 out, not fluent at last, never a factor, 16th of 19, 29 1/4l behind Suinda (10-4) at Galway 2m 6f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Midnight Shot 7-2 (11-3) Prominent, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, left clear approaching last, won at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Ballykan (11-6) by 13l, 6 ran.
Bay Of Freedom (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) 7th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Nelson Road (12-3) at Navan 1m 4f gf in Sep.
Jarob 20-1 (11-10) Held up, pushed along briefly from 3rd, 9th halfway, pushed along briefly again approaching 7th, ridden and headway from before straight, soon chased leaders and kept on without threatening, 4th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Boot Camp (11-4) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Fact Of The Matter (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, fell 7th, at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
