held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 11th, not fluent 4 out, challenging when bumped next, led 2 out, shaken up and stayed on well, comfortably
held up in mid-division, ridden after 7th, not fluent and struggling from next
held up, headway 8th, challenged 11th, led and jumped left 3 out, headed next, held after,hung right and stayed on flat
chased leaders, every chance when mistake 3 out, no impression on winner after next, stayed on same pace flat
held up on outside, mistake and struggling from 7th, tailed off
tracked leader until 2nd, 2nd again before 8th, led after 9th, headed 3 out, no extra flat
led, mistake 3rd, headed next, outpaced after 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
tracked leader 2nd, led 4th, headed after 9th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Meldrum Lad opened his chasing account at Huntingdon last week and Triple Chief finally got off the mark over fences on soft going here last month. Chris Down puts blinkers on his charge today so must think there is more to come. NANCY’S TRIX is a viable alternative to the two previous winners as she should make a better chaser than hurdler given she won a point-to-point in Ireland in 2015. Golan Dancer has been placed three times over the larger obstacles but still hasn’t managed a win under Rules in 21 attempts.
Meldrum Lad (IRE) 4-1fav (10-7) In rear, headway 3 out, led next and left clear, hung right flat, ridden and ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Bagging Turf (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Nancy's Trix (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along and steady headway on outside after 8th, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, soon 3rd, plugged on same pace, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 12, 6 1/4l behind Flemi Two Toes (10-6) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Triple Chief (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 2nd after 2 out, led last, edged left flat, stayed on, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Only Gorgeous (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Golan Dancer (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Chasing leaders after 1st, ridden to take 2nd when jumped right 3 out, no impression last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Paddocks Lounge (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) gs in Mar.
Chief Bottlewasher (IRE) 200-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced, 9th of 12, 35 3/4l behind River Wylde (11-11) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Tikkapick (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, mistake 11th, close up 13th, mistake 15th, soon weakened, behind before 4 out, soon pulled up, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Champagne Benefit (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Pulled hard, chased leader until after 3rd, chased leaders, weakened quickly after next, soon behind, tailed off when blundered 2 out, soon pulled up, at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Get Ready Freddy 6-1 (11-7) Prominent, took keen hold, led 3rd, headed after 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 21 3/4l behind Gambol (11-11) at Stratford 2m hcp (5) gs in Mar.
