behind, lost touch 10th, soon tailed off, pulled up after 3 out
in touch, headway to lead 9th to 12th, led again 13th, in command approaching 2 out, stayed on well
slow jumps at several fences, behind, under pressure 12th, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
in touch, headway to lead 12th to next, hit 15th, chased winner after, no impression when lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened
in touch until weakened before 4 out
chased leading pair, not fluent 8th, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up before last
led 2nd to 9th, close up until weakened before 3 out
led to 2nd, chased leader, lost place 11th, tailed off 14th, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, chased leading pair 15th, chased winner before 2 out, no impression between last 2
keen hold in touch, lost place after 10th, soon last of main group, well behind when mistake 14th
This opener looks a two horse race involving Stylish Dave and Honourable Spider with the vote going to the last named. Honourable Spider looks an improving type and has won his last three races between the flags in great fashion. His latest success was when winning by thirty lengths unchallenged and although point to point form can be difficult to weigh up this horse looks on the upgrade. Stylish Dave won plenty this year also but was exposed when beaten last time out behind Carryonharry who has since gone on to win a hunters chase at Huntingdon so the form has worked in his favour. Lord Euro and Militaire look the next best in the race and are both worth noting in the market but for the winner we return to Honourable Spider.
Honourable Spider 1-4fav (12-8) Held up; led aft 10; drew clr 15; unchall, won at Aldington 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Sliabh Foy (12-0) by 30l, 4 ran.
Jac An Ree (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) Prom; lft 2nd 11-14; 3rd when pulled up in race won by Sanamour (12-0) at Penshurst 3m ptp gf in Apr, 5 ran.
Lord Euro (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) 2nd til led 13; fell in race won by Ballyalbert (11-0) at Peper Harow 3m ptp frm, 6 ran.
Matrix (AUS) 33-1 (11-7) Held up rear, headway 12th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 7th of 12, 40l behind Latzod'alm (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Militaire (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden, went 3rd 13th, weakened 4 out, last of 5, 36l behind Montys Tag (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gf.
Nigels Dream (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 4 out, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Thematis (12-0) at Littlewindsor 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Stylish Dave (NZ) 9-4 (11-4) Led to 5; lost tch 12; lft poor 2nd 3 out; no imp, 2nd of 5, 15l behind Carryonharry (11-7) at Aldington 3m ptp gd.
The Grey Baron 4-1 (12-7) Held up; went 3rd 3 out; chall last; nt qckn flat, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Cape Stormer (12-7) at Peper Harow 3m ptp frm.
