mid-division, headway after 4th, pushed along 3 out, 4th and held before last, no extra flat
led, mistake 1st, not fluent 2nd, headed after 4th, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, slow 1st, went left and slow 4th, soon challenging travelling strongly, edged left and led before last, shaken up flat, stayed on
held up in rear, some headway when slow 3 out, soon nudged along, given reminder and well held by leaders after 2 out
held up towards rear on inside, took keen hold, closed 2nd, ridden and weakened from 2 out
tracked leader, led briefly 1st, led after 4th, soon joined, headed before not fluent last, lost 2nd flat, no extra towards finish
mid-division, slow and lost place 2nd, no impression on leaders before 3 out, plugged on
soon chasing leaders, not fluent 1st, jumped right 2nd, weakened before 3 out, mistake last
held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd flat, not able to challenge winner, stayed on
This meeting is viewed by purists as the real start of the jumps season. Paul Nicholls is the leading trainer here by some distance and introduces a potentially top-class novice in KNAPPERS HILL. The five-year-old was unbeaten in bumpers and won a Grade 2 at Aintree in April despite being easy to back. There will be some long faces if he can’t get his hurdling career off to a winning start. Let's Have Another and Earth Business showed promise in bumpers last season and newcomers Supasunrise and Pikar are both related to winners.
Earth Business (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Midfield, steady headway 5th, chased leaders after 3 out, close up approaching two out, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6 3/4l behind Tulin (10-8) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Flash Klass (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Blun 2; lost tch 9; wl bhnd when pu 12, at Edgcote 2m 5f gd in Apr.
Knappers Hill (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, steady headway end of back straight, ridden turning for home, rapid headway back on bridle over 2f out, ridden to press leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Peking Rose (11-4) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Mexican Boy (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) In touch with leaders, ridden for effort and lost ground over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 33 1/4l behind Jeremy The Jinn (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in May.
Supasunrise (IRE) Mores Wells gelding out of Sofia Aurora.
The Plimsoll Line (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along and went 2nd over 3f out until 3f out, chased leading pair, well held, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 8, 26 1/4l behind Roko George (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) sft in Feb.
Truckin With Paddy (IRE) (12-2) Cl up, 3rd 1/2way, mstk 6out, 1l 2nd from 4out, rdn bef 2out, clsd bef last, wo up early flat, so best, won at Ballindenisk 3m mdn sft in May beating Kalanisi Dream (11-11) by 2l, 17 ran.
Welsby (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov beating Henry's Joy (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Pikar (FR) Masterstroke gelding out of Prairie Scilla.
Carry On The Magic (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Midfield, raced keenly, pushed after 3 out, weakened and beaten before 2 out, 10th of 13, dist behind Jetaway Joey (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Let's Have Another (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, niggled along over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, 3rd and held inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Brief Times (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m (5) gs in May.
