held up and not fluent, headway to track leaders approaching 5th, soon pushed along, mistake next, struggling from 7th
made all, mistake 3 out, ridden approaching next, driven out
tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, hung left from next, no extra towards finish
held up, ridden and outpaced from 5 out
tracked winner until 4 out, ridden and outpaced from 3 out, rallied and switched right over 1f out, chased winner towards finish, no impression
always behind, tailed off from 4 out
Roman Ark gets the nod over Strike Back, while Lord Rodney as bits and pieces of form that give him claims at this level. The last named acts on heavy ground and has plenty of scope to improve now that he goes over fences. Pete Beaumont has traditionally done well at this course and support for his representative should be noted. Strike Back is an
Strike Back (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up, mistake 7 out, ridden after next, slight mistake 4 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 13, 14l behind Euro Leader (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 gd in Apr.
Launde (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Made all, hit 8th, ridden approaching last, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct beating Glengarra (11-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Roman Ark 3-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders 3rd, weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 43l behind Too Forward (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Oct.
Executive Decision (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, edged left after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Polar Gunner (10-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Lord Rodney (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven and effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 6th of 11, 14l behind Aldiruos (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, well behind Ragdale Hall (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
