held up towards rear, behind 6th, hit next, pulled up after
led, headed approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened before last
held up in last, some headway after 2 out, never on terms, no impression on leaders last
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, not fluent next or 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, not fluent last, ridden and pressed 200 yards out, stayed on well and asserted final 100 yards
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, not fluent next, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, taken wide when hit 5th, not fluent 7th, outpaced 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, not fluent 7th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed after next, weakened before last
mid-division, took keen hold, headway approaching 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, ridden before last, pressed winner 200 yards out, stayed on, no impression final 100 yards
in rear, ridden after 6th, stayed on approaching last to get amongst beaten horses flat, no chance with leaders
The Irish have won this for the last two years so Paul Gilligan's Galway second Churchfield Champ has to be respected, though will have to prove he stays this longer trip. The Nicholls team is already up and running so April's Ayr winner Grandioso will have his supporters while The Jugopolist was an easy winner on his hurdling debut over a similar trip at Uttoxeter. THE NEW ONE could only manage sixth in the Champion Bumper here in March but that was his only blemish in his first season and he was a very impressive winner on his first start over hurdles at Newton Abbot at the start of the month. He looks a smart prospect and can follow up here. Special Account hasn't done anything wrong so far over timber but this is his toughest task to date while Worcester scorer Thomas Crapper may also find the company too hot.
Churchfield Champ (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th 2 out, ridden into 3rd last, soon 2nd, no impression winner run-in, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Anshan Dreams (11-5) at Galway 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Sep.
De Faoithesdream (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Raced keenly, led, hit 1st, soon clear, reduced lead and not fluent 5th, clear again approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed approaching last, no chance with very easy winner,dropped to 3rd after last, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Once More Dubai (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Special Account (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, stumbled on landing 1st, went 3rd 3 out, went 2nd travelling well before 2 out, quickened to lead between last 2, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Sep beating Cabimas (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
The New One (IRE) 2-7fav (10-12) Made all, clear after 3 out, not fluent last, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Roger Beantown (10-12) by 26l, 9 ran.
Thomas Crapper 2-1fav (10-12) Mid-division on outside, headway 3rd, challenged before 2 out, edged left and led approaching last, headed flat, led again final 100 yards, driven out, won at Worcester 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd beating Barrakilla (10-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Grandioso (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway 5th to chase leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, pressed run-in, kept on towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr beating Enfant De Lune (11-10) by nk, 14 ran.
The Jugopolist (IRE) 7-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, not fluent last, soon clear, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f 4yo mdn stks (5) gs beating Benefit Of Youth (10-11) by 11l, 10 ran.
Village Vic (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden entering straight and soon no impression, no extra, 5th of 12, 35l behind Buckers Bridge (11-9) at Punchestown 2m N H flat hvy in Apr.
Mollyow (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up behind leaders, outpaced after 3 out, no impression after, 6th of 7, 12l behind Solaras Exhibition (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jun.
St Georgina 28-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, fading when hampered approaching last, 5th of 9, 8l behind Coronea Lilly (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
