pressed winner, led narrowly 4th until 10th, pressed winner, led again 13th until before next where dropped to 3rd, blundered 15th, lost 3rd approaching 4 out, soon weakened
jumped well, led until narrowly headed 4th, in front again 10th until 13th, led again before next, 3 lengths ahead 2 out, easily
chased leading pair, not fluent 3rd, lost place 6th, rallied after next, 2nd 14th until pushed along before 3 out, no extra in 3rd
chased leaders, weakened and behind when ran out 13th
chased leaders, lost place and struggling in rear 8th, stumbled next, weakened 13th, tailed off
held up in touch in rear, headway chasing leaders after 6th, 3rd approaching 4 out, pushed along in 2nd before next, no chance with winner
NonRunner
UNIONISTE is aiming to give Paul Nicholls a third win in this in four years and David Maxwell back-to-back victories. The grey won’t be much of a price but is impossible to oppose as he proved his well-being when winning by a distance at Wincanton at the start of the month. According to official ratings, Gowanauthat and Letbeso should be dangers but this trip is well beyond the best of the former and the latter has been struggling on the point-to-point circuit. Lord Heathfield has run in a couple of competitive hunter chases this year but didn’t threaten in either.
Gowanauthat (IRE) 3-1cfav (12-0) (tt) prom; led 7 til ur 2 out, at Charing 2m 4f gd in Feb.
Unioniste (FR) 1-6fav (12-6) Close up on outside, led 10th, clear 4 out, canter, won at Wincanton 3m 1f (6) hvy in Feb beating Vincitore (11-12) by dist, 3 ran.
Letbeso (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Strugg 16, 4th of 6, 28l behind Dabinett Moon (10-7) at Cocklebarrow 3m 4f gs in Jan.
Tallow Fair (IRE) 20-1 (12-1) Held up mid-division, pecked and unseated rider after 2nd, at Kelso 3m 2f (4) gd in May.
Minmore Grey (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Prom to 8; wl bhnd 13, 4th of 10, 35 1/2l behind Inmyday (12-0) at Barbury Racecourse 3m mdn gs in Jan.
Real Milan (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd before 8th, weakened 4 out, struggling in 4th when unseated rider 3 out,, at Market Rasen 3m (6) sft in Feb.
Lord Heathfield (IRE) 40-1 (12-1) Led, headed before 6th, blundered 6 out, weakened 5 out, 4th of 6, 28 3/4l behind Virak (12-1) at Haydock 2m 6f (3) hvy in Feb.
