always in rear, lost touch 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, outpaced 11th, never on terms with leaders after, well held in 5th when mistake 3 out
chased leaders, slightly outpaced 11th, rallied 3 out, went between horses and every chance when pecked last, no extra run-in
chased leader, led 2nd until next, in front again 7th, joined last, narrowly headed run-in, rallied
in touch, closer tracking leaders 8th, going well in 3rd before 5 out, weakened 2 out
led until 2nd, chased leaders, weakened 5 out
raced keenly in last pair, no chance when blundered 4 out, never figured
tracked leader 2nd, led 3rd until 7th, chased winner until before 3 out, went 2nd again 2 out, challenged last, led run-in, all out
Copperhead won twice over hurdles at the start of the year. He looks a likely sort for fences and it would be no surprise to see him go well here. Prime Venture is a classy sort but it’s a worry that he is already 0-7 over the larger obstacles, though he’s run in hot handicaps over the longer trips the last twice. Finawn Bawn won twice over hurdles last season but has always looked the type to make a better chaser so any market support would be significant. TRUCKERS LODGE had been a bit wayward in his jumping at Newton Abbot in May and never threatened here 18 days ago but that looked a very hot contest and he should find this opposition more to his liking.
Bact To Black 6-1 (10-12) Prominent until 4 out, well beaten from next, 6th of 14, 26 3/4l behind J'Ai Froid (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Copperhead 9-4fav (11-9) Chased leader until 2nd, chased leaders, blundered and outpaced 2 out (normal 3 out) rallied into 2nd at the last, led run-in, soon clear and stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating It's Got Legs (11-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
Finawn Bawn (IRE) 2-5fav (11-9) Held up mid-division 4 out, blundered 5th, headway before 4 out, led and not fluent 2 out, held on well towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f (4) gs in Mar beating Kingofthecotswolds (11-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Johanos (FR) 100-1 (11-6) Behind, headway into mid-division 15th, fell 17th, at Cheltenham 4m (1) sft in Mar.
Prime Venture (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Always rear-division, never on terms, 9th of 15, dist behind Talkischeap (10-11) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Putdecashonthedash (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) With winner until after 4th, detached in last pair after 9th, no threat after, continued tailed off, 3rd of 4, dist behind Captain Cattistock (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 2f (4) gd in Apr.
Tea Time On Mars 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on outside, challenged 9th, led 3 out, hung left after 2 out, clear flat, stayed on, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Feb beating Ostuni (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Truckers Lodge (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway on outside after 13th, outpaced 5 out, ridden and weakened from next, tailed off, 4th of 6, 30 1/4l behind Ardlethen (11-0) at Chepstow 3m (3) gs in Oct.
