tracked leaders and keen, blundered 5 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last
tracked leaders on outer, weakened from 4 out, blundered next
held up in touch, weakened from 4 out, blundered 3 out
tracked leader, challenged 2 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden before 11th, headway before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, chased winner before last, weakened soon after
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
always in rear, not fluent, struggling from halfwy, pulled up 2 out
made all, pressed from 2 out, soon ridden, kept on gamely, held on well last 50 yards
mid-division on outer, tracked leaders 7th, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division on inner, headway after 5 out, ridden to chase winner last, kept on
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
BALLYBOUGH GORTA, Saint Roque and Slick Operator were all successful on their latest starts in point-to-points in the spring, while Oscarslad, Presented and Western King have also scored between the flags. Translating form in that sphere to the professional game isn't always straightforward but Nicky Henderson's four-year-old was particularly impressive at Oldcastle in April and may be the most likely winner on this occasion. Nodform Richard won a Kelso bumper in March and was third on his hurdling bow at Wetherby but Miss Milborne's second at Newbury last month represents better form over timber and she should be thereabouts again.
African Eagle (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, mistake 2 out, modest 6th when mistake and hampered last, weakened and eased flat, 10th of 15, 32l behind Knight Pass (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Ballybough Gorta (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Alw pr, went on 2out, sn clr, row, won at Oldcastle 2m ire ptp gd in Apr beating Johnstown Castle (11-7) by 15l, 8 ran.
Mystic Appeal (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, headway after 8th, went 4th approaching 3 out, no chance with leaders, 4th of 12, 37l behind Gullinbursti (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Nodform Richard 3-1 (10-12) Prominent in 3rd, pushed along before 4th, ridden before and hit 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 20l behind Hazy Tom (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Oscarslad (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, hit 2nd, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 11, 42l behind Rolling Aces (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Presented (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 6f out, soon behind, 10th of 17, 32l behind Claret Cloak (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Saint Roque (FR) 6-4 (12-0) Mid div, 6th 6out, prog 4out & 2nd bef 3out, ld bef 2out, sow, unextended, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating Araglen Lad (12-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Sir Roger (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, soon chasing winner, every chance bypassing ommited 3 out, lost 2nd next, weakened between last 2, 6th of 17, 18l behind So Fine (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Slick Operator (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Mid div, 6th 6out & rdn on inner aftr 5out, cl 3rd when mstks 4out & 2out, so bef last & ld last strides, won at Cloyne 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating Level Spirit (12-0) by hd, 13 ran.
Tarbeck 10-1 (11-5) Held up, in rear, chased leading pair approaching 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 5, 35l behind Glenwood Knight (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb '10.
Western King (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 3 out and outpaced, 5th of 9, 35l behind Simonsig (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Miss Milborne 11-2 (10-10) Chased leaders on inside, went right 4th, went 2nd and went right 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd soon after, went modest 2nd again and hit last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Kentford Grey Lady (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Western Kate (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, 16th of 18, well behind Call Me A Star (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mares n h flat (6) gs in Nov.
