chased leader, ridden before 3 out (normal 2 out), no impression before last, weakened flat
led, clear 3rd until before 7th, ridden and headed before last, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat
held up, not always fluent, closed 7th, led before last, ridden clear flat
held up, pushed along in touch after 9th, 3rd last, no impression, one pace and dropped to 4th flat
held up, headway 9th, mistake 2 out (normal 3 out), stayed on and went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
Gun Shy has won here over hurdles and won easily over fences at Towcester on his third attempt. He should make a bold bid to defy his penalty but this is no easy task as Raven's Tower and Third Act have both won over timber, though the latter has been a big disappointment overall. MINELLA PRESENT couldn't get to the first two at Newton Abbot last time when mistakes in the closing stages proved decisive. But he'll enjoy this easier ground and slightly longer trip so gets the nod as ex-pointer Here I Am appears to have plenty to find.
Gun Shy (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Led 1st until after next, led 6th, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May beating Rockmount River (10-10) by 7l, 6 ran.
Here I Am (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Disputed lead, led 4 out, ridden and headed when blundered next, kept on same pace, no impression from last, 4th of 8, 7l behind Out Of Range (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gs in May.
Minella Present (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Towards rear and keen, headway before 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Dormello Mo (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gd in May.
Raven's Tower (USA) 28-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, close up after 6th, went 2nd 4 out, driven and one pace before 2 out, kept on, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Long House Hall (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Third Act (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Prominent, led 2nd until 4th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Cut The Corner (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in May.
