held up towards rear, headway after 7th, soon ridden, weakened next
mid-division, headway 7th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, kept on, ridden out
led until 6th, weakened after next
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 7th, kept on same pace until next
chased leader, led 6th, ridden after 3 out, headed next, kept on
in touch, went 3rd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway after 7th, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out
took keen hold early, tracked leaders until weakened after 5th, soon tailed off
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, went 3rd and ridden approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, held when not fluent last
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Sea Wall gets the call here ahead of Valance and, possibly, Red Society and Golden Feather. Sea Wall won so well at Ludlow five days ago that a penalty may not be enough to stop him winning again. Red Society looked progressive back in 2004/5 but he has not been seen for a while, although you should watch the betting for clues. Come Bye is edging back towards a winning mark but he has become something of a Fontwell specialist. Valance disappointed when backed at Huntingdon last time but surely that was too bad to be true and better can be expected today. Much as he is five-pounds above his most-recent winning mark, Airgusta could go well, while Fire Ranger is consistent and could make the frame. Finally, from the Venetia Williams yard, Golden Feather is very much one to note in the betting but, for the selection, we will stick with Sea Wall.
Red Society (IRE) 11-4fav (11-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden 10th, headway approaching 3 out, led last, swerved left under pressure flat, held on, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Apr '05 beating Tin Symphony (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, outpaced 6th, staying on one pace in 5th when blundered badly last, 6th of 9, 16l behind Toulouse (11-10) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Come Bye (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Jumped right throughout, led until after 3rd, gradually lost touch from 5th, 9th of 10, well behind Wee Dinns (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Sept.
Welsh Main 4-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 10th, mistake 11th, ridden and weakened 13th, 5th of 6, well behind Nayodabayo (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
Double Dizzy 20-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 6th approaching halfway, 5th 5 out, weakened next, 15th of 25, 41l behind Roadmaker (10-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 0-130 gd in Apr.
Devito (FR) 11-1 (10-13) Behind, headway 7th, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 16, 15l behind Rare Coincidence (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sept.
Airgusta (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 7th, hung left after last, not troubled leaders, 6th of 17, 11l behind Rabbit (10-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
So Brash (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Towards rear and keen, hit 6th, ridden and weakened 8th, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Absolut Power (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Fire Ranger 9-4jt-fav (10-9) Prominent, ridden and chased leader approaching 2f out, ran on same pace 2f out, went 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Shared Account (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Naja De Billeron (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 4th in race won by In Accord (11-7) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr, 18 ran.
L'Oiseau (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 9th, soon weakened, last of 5, 47l behind Lindsay (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
Can Can Flyer (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led, not fluent 3 out, soon driven, headed and weakened next, 8th of 13, well behind Lyon (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Tytheknot 14-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden, effort 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Dune Raider (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Coustou (IRE) 6-1fav (10-7) Held up in rear, good headway after 6th, hit 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Wenger (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec.
Xila Fontenailles (FR) 20-1 (10-2) Mid-division, weakened after 6th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Marrel (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Sea Wall 13-2 (11-4) Prominent, led 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, drew clear after last, eased towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf beating Pilca (10-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
Valance (IRE) 3-1fav (10-6) Close up, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 11, 12l behind Festive Chimes (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Golden Feather 4-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden after 3 out, in touch when pulled up 2 out in race won by Picot de Say (10-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar, 13 ran.
