mid-division, rallied approaching last, lost place 6th, ridden and headway after 11th, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to stay 2nd close home
always behind
mid-division, ridden 7th, soon weakened
led and tended to jump left, ridden and headed 3 out, weaken after 2 out, left 2nd last until close home
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th to 10th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
held up, headway 5th, went 2nd after 2 out, 2 lengths down when fell last
chased leaders, lost place 8th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on flat
prominent, led 3 out, ridden when left clear last, stayed on
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The shortlist contains Penzance, Imperial Rocket and Lunar Crystal, with the vote going to the last-named. The one that really catches the eye has to be Penzance. Last year's Triumph Hurdle winner has not really built on that over hurdles this year and now tries fences, over which he has to be of serious interest. Curraheen Chief won a Limerick bumper back in 2001 but has only been seen on the track once since. Dere Lyn has won here over hurdles and his fencing debut - which also came here - suggested promise, so he is one to consider. As is Imperial Rocket, who was a good third to Goldbrook at Taunton last time, although on the form of that race he has two lengths to find on Predicament, although the latter blotted his copybook by refusing to race last time. Lunar Crystal was one of the best of these over hurdles, so gets all due respect on his chasing debut, while Arrayou was rated as high of 132 over hurdles so has to be of interest too on his chasing debut. Magnesium would have to be considered on his hurdling form, but two runs over the larger obstacles have not been particularly auspicious. All of which leads us to having to make a choice, which is Lunar Crystal.
Dere Lyn 10-1 (10-4) Held up, mistake 7th, headway approaching 10th, stayed on last, no impression, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Lubinas (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Lunar Crystal (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led, headed 4 out, ridden approaching next, weakened soon after, 14th of 21, 17l behind Acambo (10-4) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd.
Magnesium (USA) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in last place, lost touch 6th, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Il Duce (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov chs (4) gs.
Predicament 11-4 (11-0) Refused to race, took no part refused in race won by Rapide Plaisir (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Arrayou (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Behind, hard ridden after 3 out, stayed on from after next, not pace to reach leaders, 9th of 17, 11l behind Hasty Prince (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
Penzance 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, one pace and not much room approaching last, rallied under pressure run-in, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Noble Request (11-8) at Sandown 2m hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Imperial Rocket (USA) 7-2 (11-1) Led, mistake 3 out, ridden after 2 out, half length advantage when blundered last, soon headed and no extra, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Goldbrook (11-1) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) frm in Apr.
Lupin (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Behind, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jonny's Kick (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
