made most until headed soon after 3 out, weakened
took keen hold, chased leaders, mistake 5th, lost place after 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, mistake 10th, headway after 3 out, chased leading pair 2 out until lost 3rd early flat
in touch, ridden along after 10th, chased leading trio after 3 out, kept on to take 3rd early flat, no chance with leading pair
prominent, not fluent 8th, still well there 3 out, weakened before next
raced wide, chased leaders until weakened after 10th
not always fluent, held up in touch, hit 12th, headway under pressure to chase winner approaching 2 out, closed last, kept on well flat, just held
keen hold, chased leaders, led briefly approaching 4th, weakened under pressure before 4 out
behind, good headway 10th, went 2nd before 12th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway to chase leaders from 10th, mistake and weakened 3 out
raced wide, held up in rear, good headway to track leaders approaching 12th, led soon after 3 out, pushed 10 lengths clear approaching 2 out, weakening flat, driven to hold on, all out
Paddy For Paddy would have solid claims if fit enough for his return but lack of a recent outing has to be of concern so preference is for Cracking Dawn, who gets the vote ahead of Yeoman Sailor. The selection ran with credit in two starts in handicap chases last term and comes here on the back of a recent point-to-point success that should have blown the cobwebs away. Brer Bear has shown a respectable level of form in points but lacks an outing under rules and is probably best watched, while Ichi Cavalo would need to improve on all known form under rules to trouble the judge. Millenium Way won a hunter chase here in May and comes into this on the back of winning form in points so has to be respected along with Father Jim but a bigger threat is likely to come from Yeoman Sailor. A useful performer on his day, the 12-year-old is not as good as he once was but still retains enough ability to be competitive in this grade. Cracking Dawn probably has the better recent form though and he gets the vote.
Ichi Cavalo (IRE) 7-1 (12-5) won at Higham 3m ptp frm beating Black Frost (12-5) by 6l, 4 ran.
Kingston-Banker 9-2 (12-7) pulled up in race won by Deep Pockets (12-0) at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Jan, 12 ran.
Millenium Way (IRE) 6-4 (11-0) 2nd of 10, sh-hd behind Fiery Ring (11-0) at Charing 3m ladies ptp gf in Feb.
Paddy For Paddy (IRE) 4-1 (12-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, left in lead 22nd, ridden approaching 2 out, headed and hit last, ran on to join leader post, won at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (H) gd in Apr deadheating with No Retreat (11-7), 16 ran.
Yeoman Sailor (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Prominent, led 5th, clear after 13th, ridden when headed 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Mrs Be (11-7) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (B) sft in May.
Brer Bear 7-2 (12-0) 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Cracking Dawn (12-0) at 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Cracking Dawn (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) won at 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Brer Bear (12-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Father Jim 8-1 (12-5) 2nd of 11, 5l behind Dunston Bill (12-5) at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Owen's Pet (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) 2nd of 8, 25l behind Stromness (11-0) at Mollington 3m ptp sft.
Running Machine (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 13th, blundered badly 18th, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Curtins Hill (11-10) at Sandown 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Feb '04.
Swincombe (IRE) 6-4 (12-5) 2nd of 6, nk behind County Derry (12-5) at Dunthrop 4m ptp gd in Jan.
