towards rear, pushed along after 5th, struggling and no chance 4 out
never travelling or jumping with any enthusiasm in rear, ridden along throughout, modest late headway
led, hit 5th and 7th, mistake 3 out, headed when mistake last, no chance with winner soon after, lost 2nd flat
always behind, ridden and struggling when pulled up 6th
chased leader until just before 2 out, weakened soon after
fell 1st
chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened after next
held up towards rear, steady headway from 8th, chased leaders 3 out, 2nd soon after 2 out, led just before last, stayed on strongly
never travelling in rear, reminders 6th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out
in touch, under pressure 8th, soon lost place and behind, tailed off
in touch, pushed along soon after 3 out, weakened next
never reached beyond mid-division, under pressure 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
LORD GUNNERSLAKE can win again, primarily at the expense of Snark, Geography and My Matilda. Tim Vaughan's gelding has been busy of late, winning three of his last four starts over fences. His canny trainer sticks him over hurdles today off the same mark of 86 and seeing as he wouldn't pick up a penalty if winning this, it is easy to see him following up at Worcester on Sunday. Arctic Ghost looked out of love with life last year and is fitted with a visor on this first run for Phillip Hobbs, Snark shaped with more promise at Uttoxeter last month and he looks to be getting the hang of things, whilst Geography is a course and distance winner and assuming he has not been put off by his Plumpton fall last time out he is respected. Eastwell Smiles needs a market check with Richie McLernon an eye-catching jockey booking whilst My Matilda is 9lb higher than when winning at Plumpton and the mare has more to do. She has no ground concerns, along with Play A Chord who is fitted with blinkers for the first time. Any market move for the David Pipe-trained The Pious Prince must be respected, especially as his profile is one of general disappointment. This isn't straight-forward by any means but Lord Gunnerslake looks the most interesting option.
Snark (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked winner after 1st, not fluent 6th, led briefly 3 out, no extra last, 4th of 11, 10l behind Sir Monty (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Tracked leading trio, tracked leading pair after 3 out, mistake next, driven to lead last, drew clear flat, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Morenito (11-2) by 5l, 6 ran.
Arctic Ghost 6-1 (12-0) (cp) led til hdd 3 out; wknd nxt, 5th of 8, 17l behind Celestial Dragon (12-0) at Holnicote 3m ptp gd in May.
Geography (IRE) 10-3fav (11-3) In rear when fell 2nd, in a race won by My Matilda (10-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May, 11 ran.
Eastwell Smiles 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 16, 17l behind Earcomesthedream (11-7) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Legal Glory (IRE) 22-1 (10-1) Held up behind, headway and in touch 7th, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, beaten when hit last, 5th of 9, 19l behind Lyster (10-11) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
My Matilda 4-1 (10-7) In touch, chased leader 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May beating King Raven (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Spider Boy 18-1 (10-4) Always behind, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Woodlark Island (11-5) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May, 11 ran.
Play A Cord (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) In touch, headway to chase leader 10th, ridden to lead approaching last, put head in air flat caught post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Ashmolian (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
The Pious Prince (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, mistakes 3rd and next, lost place 7th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Pearly Star (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 5f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Eddystone (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Behind, ridden and headway before 3 out, soon under pressure, never on terms, 5th of 11, 30l behind My Matilda (10-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Albert Park (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, tracked leader until after 1st, prominent, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, fell last, in a race won by Red Not Blue (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May, 11 ran.
Send For Tim (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 11th of 15, well behind Skye But N Ben (11-6) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
Ocheekobee (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 15, well behind Fleur De Vassy (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gs in Mar.
