Rowland Ward won at Aintree last month though Camprond wasn’t far behind in second. That pair are hard to separate and Copperless comes into the equation as he was still travelling well when falling behind the above pair at Aintree. The progressive Hooper scored at Cheltenham last time when beating Nordic Combined and the latter boosted the form by winning easily at Hexham a week ago. TEQANY finished a creditable second in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton despite unfavourable terms. A similar effort back in a handicap should see him thereabouts at the finish with Fergal O’Brien’s yard in fine form. Fairyhouse winner Shanroe travels over from Ireland and Defining Battle is unexposed while Ballinsker’s yard has a good record in this contest.
Shanroe 11-2fav (11-10) Chased clear leader, moderate 5th halfway, not fluent 3 out, closer entering straight and led next, pushed along and asserted approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding in Apr beating Jon Ess (11-5) by 9l, 20 ran.
Any News (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Politicise (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened, last of 13, 28 1/4l behind Botani (10-6) at Cork 2m 3f hcp gd in Apr.
Camprond (FR) 9-2jfav (10-4) Midfield, smooth progress before 3 out, led 2 out going well, jumped last in lead, touched off final 50 yards, 2nd of 22, 1/2l behind Rowland Ward (10-1) at Aintree 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Rowland Ward 12-1 (10-1) Midfield, every chance 3 out, travelling well 2 out, jumped last in second, stayed on strongly to lead final 50 yards, won at Aintree 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr beating Camprond (10-4) by 1/2l, 22 ran.
Scarlet Dragon 40-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, tried to close 3 out, no impression, 6th of 9, 19l behind Milkwood (11-6) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Historic Heart (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Close-up, travelled well approaching 2 out to almost lead, pushed after 2 out and hit front, ridden clear after last, readily, won at Perth 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Golden Town (11-9) by 7l, 11 ran.
Cormier (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 13th of 17, 33 1/4l behind Not So Sleepy (11-6) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, went 2nd home turn, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Hexham 2m hcp (3) gs in May beating Frightened Rabbit (10-0) by 8l, 8 ran.
Ballinsker (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Midfield, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before last, 16th of 23, 24 3/4l behind Soaring Glory (10-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Copperless 9-2jfav (10-2) Mid-division, stylish progress before 3 out, fell when going well 2 out, at Aintree 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Defining Battle (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, jumped left and not fluent 1st, headway on outside from 4 out, led 3 out, headed flat, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Torigni (12-1) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Celestial Force (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 2 out, weakened before the last, 5th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Herbiers (10-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Thistimenextyear 25-1 (10-1) Held up last, pushed along before 3 out, some progress before 2 out, one pace thereafter, 8th of 22, 28l behind Rowland Ward (10-1) at Aintree 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Teqany (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up tracking leaders, pushed along and went 3rd before 2 out, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Sceau Royal (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
Hooper 7-2 (10-11) Mid-division, travelling well and tracked leader after the 5th, shaken up to make challenge run to the last, every chance when pushed along and disputing the lead at the last, soon led and kept on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Nordic Combined (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) In rear, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 17 1/4l behind Untold Story (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Apr.
