chased leaders, blundered and lost place 4 out, rallied 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, no extra flat
always behind, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led 3 out, challenged from next, stayed on strongly (2 fences omitted)
in touch, headway 4 out, effort next, never on terms
led until 3 out, weakened quickly
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders halfway, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened before last
Five Star Wilsham clearly has his problems but is potentially well treated, though has shown his best form on good ground. Whispering Jack won this last year when Sir Mattie was only third and races off an 8lb lower mark. But that's because recent efforts have left much to be desired. Lava Lamp is also woefully out of sorts while Tough Talkin Man is flattered by recent form figures as he's never really threatened over fences. SMADYNIUM was just starting to make headway at Ludlow last time when the race was brought to a halt. That suggests he'll stay this trip and he has more scope than his rivals.
Smadynium (FR) He has won three hurdle races from 2m to 2m 3f on good and heavy ground.
Sir Mattie (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway 10th, chased leading pair 11th, pushed along in 4th approachiong 4 out, ridden before next, weakened soon after, 5th of 12, 22l behind Dark Glacier (11-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Five Star Wilsham (IRE) 9-2fav (11-5) Mid-division on inside, headway to lead 6th, headed 15th, in touch, lost place before 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Bertie Milan (10-0) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Apr, 12 ran.
Lava Lamp (GER) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 40l behind Irish Buccaneer (11-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Whispering Jack 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, slow 2nd, jumped left next, lost place 6th, soon detatched, behind when pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Badgers Cove (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar, 7 ran.
Tough Talkin Man (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Jumped right, led until before bypassing omitted 4 out, one pace from after omitted 2 out, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Definite Dream (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs.
