jumped left, tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 6th, lost place when not fluent next, weakened and pulled up before 4 out
made all, not fluent 2 out, still not ridden and 1 length up when left well clear last
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, closed 4th, went 2nd before 3 out, shaken up and 1 length down when fell last
mid-division, closed 4th, lost place 6th, not fluent 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, no impression before 4 out
mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 8th, mistake 4 out, left 2nd when hampered last, no chance with winner, lost 2nd and no extra flat
took keen hold, tracked winner until before 3 out, no extra approaching last
mid-division, headway 4th, driven when not fluent 3 out, weakened next, eased
Half of this field are making their debuts over the larger obstacles. Of those, Masquerade and Stellar Notion are of interest with the latter finishing second over hurdles to Un Ace, who has already won twice over fences this season, when last seen in February. Crookstown won at Uttoxeter last month before finding Ned Stark and company too hot in better company at Huntingdon and he can't be discounted. But TOWN MOUSE doesn't look badly treated now and, though a tricky ride, gets the nod despite giving 12lb to recent hurdles winner Guanciale.
Masquerade (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Led, pushed along and headed 4 out, chased winner until 3 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd from next, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Solar Impulse (11-1) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Stellar Notion (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Held up mid-division and keen, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, ridden before last, every chance run-in, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Un Ace (11-2) at Doncaster 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Crookstown (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 12th, mistake 4 out, mistake and no extra 2 out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Ned Stark (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcap ch (3) sft.
Couldhavehaditall (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, not much soon after, chased winner from 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Lily Little Legs (10-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Ourmanmassini (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, went wide after 2nd, closed 4th, challenged after 4 out, no extra final 150 yards, 5th of 19, 8l behind Chesterfield (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) sft.
Morning Reggie 14-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, 29l behind Big Water (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcap ch (3) sft.
Town Mouse 7-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, last and not fluent 6th, went 3rd 9th, not fluent and no impression 4 out, no extra 2 out, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Uriah Heep (10-10) at Ludlow 2m nov hcap ch (3) gd in Oct.
Guanciale 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, driven before 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on to lead when edged left final 50 yards, held on, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Peadar Miguel (10-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
