led from 3rd, clear 12th, easily
held up, raced keenly on outside, chased winner before 8th, jumped right 12th, hit 4 out, lost 2nd next, weakened 2 out
jumped slowly early stages, led until 3rd, weakened after 4 out, went 3rd flat
several positions, not fluent 8th, went 2nd when mistake 3 out, no chance with winner
NonRunner
A clear round should see MONSIEUR GIBRALTAR home and hosed. He’s already landed the odds with the minimum of fuss in a couple of these events this year and has 30lb in hand with the next highest rated Witness In Court. The latter hasn’t raced since 2017 so Boher Call may prove a bigger threat arriving fresh from a victory between the flags. Treat Yourself has struggled since placing in last year’s renewal and Scorpion Star is having only his third start over fences having switched yards again.
Monsieur Gibraltar (FR) 4-9fav (12-6) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, soon clear, easily, won at Southwell 2m 4f (6) gd in Apr beating Stellar Notion (12-6) by dist, 4 ran.
Scorpion Star (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no chance with front pair before last, 3rd of 18, 25l behind Misty Bloom (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Treat Yourself (IRE) 100-1 (12-2) Mid-division on outside, lost place and behind from 11th (water), tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, at Ludlow 3m (5) gd in Feb.
Witness In Court (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Slow 1st, soon chasing leaders, under pressure 5 out, stayed on same pace after 2 out, 4th of 9, 16l behind Truckers Highway (11-8) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Boher Call (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Led to 2; led aft 15; r.o wl, won at Milborne St Andrew 3m in Mar beating Imogens Thunder (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 3 ran.
