led, headed 7th, slow 9th and 10th, soon lost ground, behind and pulled up after 13th
held up in rear, mistake 5th, ridden 14th, behind and pulled up 3 out
mistake 1st, tracked leader, led 7th, clear from 4 out, ran on
held up, ridden 14th, slow next, weakened after 3 out
close up, chased winner 11th, until hit 14th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
mistake and fell 2nd
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 14th, kept on under pressure, from 3 out but not a danger to winner
Saucy Knight can lead them home in this tricky affair from Tregastel and New Perk. New Perk has been in prolific winning form last season and although he has gone up the handicap he still seems well treated. He may need this pipe opener though after being off the course for six months and is opposed. Tregastel won only his second race in 17 starts when scoring at Cartmel recently but the handicapper promptly raised him seven pounds and he was back in mid division last time. He looks one paced and can be taken on. Saucy Night was campaigned with some success over hurdles last season but had his first outing over fences for over a year at Uttoxeter recently and won easily. He has been raised a harsh 11 pounds for that win but he still looks capable of defying top weight. Richard Johnson is once again on board and Saucy Knight can prove too tasty for his rivals.
Saucy Night 10-3jt-fav (11-2) Made all, clear 3 out, jumped right last 2, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Aheadofhistime (10-1) by 10l, 8 ran.
County Final (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Close up in chasing group, ridden and weakened 6 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by General Alarm (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) gf, 5 ran.
Gaelic Flight (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) In touch, effort 4 out, 3rd and under pressure when hit next, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 30l behind Kerry's Blade (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Tregastel (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Soon well behind, headway under pressure after 4 out, soon no extra, 6th of 15, well behind Why The Big Paws (11-9) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
New Perk (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) In touch, chased leader 11th until next, ridden 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Jodante (10-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Aston (USA) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 18l behind Top The Bill (11-0) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Strong Magic (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Chased leaders to 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Saucy Night (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 8 ran.
