prominent and keen, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place and in rear from 6th, soon struggling, tailed off
held up in touch on outer, headway before 4 out, led 3 out, pressed last, kept on well towards finish
held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 11th
led to 1st, remained close up, ridden and weakened 5 out
in rear, headway before 4 out, every chance last, kept on and held towards finish
prominent, led before 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden before last, one pace
led from 1st, headed before 4 out, soon weakened
Spock should strip fitter for his comeback run but is facing a very stiff task in this under top weight against several in-form rivals. Well Hello There also looks harshly treated after just one run over fences but Patsy Finnegan wasn't winning out of turn at Uttoxeter while Sir Mattie has won three times on the track. Hunters Lodge is developing into a decent handicapper but Strumble Head may need another run to put him straight so the vote goes to ROYALE KNIGHT. Still only a seven-year-old, he looked better than ever when scoring by 11 lengths at Kelso last time and is still at the right end of the handicap despite a penalty.
Spock (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Disputed 4th and off the pace until outpaced after 9th(water), no chance after, went moderate 4th 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 49l behind Fiendish Flame (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Hunters Lodge (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Prominent, pushed along and lost several places before 4 out, outpaced and no impression after 3 out, bumped and badly hampered last, stayed on final 100 yards, 7th of 15, 10l behind Top Dancer (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Well Hello There (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden before 3 out, pecked 2 out, soon edged left, switched left and rallied flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Muldoon's Picnic (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in Apr.
Patsy Finnegan 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged last, led flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Firm Order (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Strumble Head (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Led, headed 9th, tracked leader, mistake 11th, driven and lost place 5 out, soon behind, last of 5, 22l behind Raduis Bleu (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Sir Mattie (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) In rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, effort where 2 out would of been, soon no impression, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Whispering Jack (11-4) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Royale Knight 5-2fav (10-0) Held up in touch, led 3 out, clear before last, eased towards finish, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May beating Carrigdhoun (11-4) by 11l, 7 ran.
Crannaghmore Boy (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, soon lost place and in rear, headway before 8th to chase leaders, mistake 4 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, well behind Full Of Joy (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
