held up in rear, went 3rd 4 out, 2nd going well 3 out, led before last, shaken up to assert flat, comfortably
held up in rear, awkward 4th, never on terms, well beaten 3 out
led until before 5th, lost place 4 out, well beaten when mistakes 3 out and 2 out
chased leaders, jumped left 5th, lost place 10th, closed after 4 out, 4th before next, stayed on flat, went 3rd close home, no impression
chased leaders, 2nd 8th until hampered 3 out, went 2nd again and stayed on flat, no impression on winner
chased leader until, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed before last, weakened into 4th close home
ADRIEN DU PONT was easily the best of these over hurdles so will be fancied to complete a quick double for his trainer and jockey. He did lose his form a little at the start of the year but his stable has won this in four of the last six years. Leith Hill Lad, a winning pointer, should make a better chaser than hurdler and is one to watch in the coming months but softer ground and a longer trip may have better suited Fortunate George. Pickamix has been in great form over timber and, like Mister Whitaker and Toviere, is not be underestimated.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 17-2 (11-7) Led, headed after 3rd, lost 2nd before 4 out, 4th and weakening when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next, at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
Fortunate George (IRE) 10-3fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 6 out, headed 2 out, mistake last, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 11l behind Kelvingrove (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Leith Hill Lad 2-1jfav (11-6) Led, hit 4th, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened and hit next, 3rd of 4, 26l behind Rene's Girl (11-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Mister Whitaker (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, closed 5th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden next, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Cake de L'Isle (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Pickamix 5-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 3rd before last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in May beating Brian Boranha (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Toviere (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Made all, kept on gamely from last, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May beating Be My Sea (11-2) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
