led until after 2nd, led 6th, headed 8th, led before 11th, mistake 14th, headed 3 out (usual 4 out), beaten when jumped right and mistake last, well held by winner flat and just held on to 2nd
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 4th, mistake 6th, jumped left 9th, well behind 11th, pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)
towards rear, jumped left 1st, not fluent 4th, headway after 6th, struggling 10th, well behind from 12th, pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)
with leader, led after 2nd, headed 6th, led 8th until before 11th where not fluent, weakened approaching 14th, soon pulled up
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, modest headway before 11th, never on terms and well beaten from 13th, pulled up after clambering over 2 out
towards rear, hampered 1st, mistake 7th, hampered 9th, mistake and well behind 12th
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, struggling before 11th, not fluent 12th, soon behind, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 2nd (water), lost place 4th, not much room 9th, well behind from 12th
held up, steady headway from 11th, 4th before 14th, never on terms with leaders and well beaten 3 out (usual 4 out)
mid-division, headway on outside from 3rd, not fluent 6th, went 2nd 12th until 13th, outpaced after 14th, stayed on from 2 out, not fluent last, no impression on winner, pressed for 2nd flat
held up in rear, blundered badly 1st, headway on outside 5th, went 2nd 13th, led 3 out (usual 4 out), jumped left and mistake 2 out, clear when went left and not fluent last, ran on well
NonRunner
By hunter chase standards, this is a very competitive contest. Henry Daly sent out the winner in 2014 and saddles the hat-trick seeking Pearlysteps. The 13-year-old has to concede weight all round but should give another good account. Grandioso and Shoreacres finished almost upsides over a shorter trip here three weeks ago but Night Alliance was an early faller in an incident-packed race at Leicester at the start of the month. On The Bridge hasn't raced over fences under Rules since 2013 but would have a chance if fully wound-up. SAM CAVALLARO was second to Pacha Du Polder over 2m4f here last year and then beat Delta Borget over 2m at Cheltenham in a race that's worked out well. His subsequent absence is an obvious worry but he looked much improved last season and may just be good enough today.
Pearlysteps 11-10fav (12-6) Chased leaders,left 2nd 6th, led before 9th, clear 4 out, went right final two, easily, won at Towcester 3m (6) sft in Mar beating Vasco Du Mee (12-6) by 22l, 8 ran.
Ballyallia Man (IRE) 9-1 (12-2) Behind, strugggling before 11th, never on terms, 8th of 14, 35 3/4l behind Nowurhurlin (12-6) at Warwick 2m 4f (6) sft in Mar.
Night Alliance (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) In touch, fell 5th, at Leicester 2m 7f (3) hvy in Mar.
No Loose Change (IRE) 4-1cfav (12-1) In rear, headway approaching 11th, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Musselburgh 3m 3f (3) sft in Feb.
Sam Cavallaro (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up behind, headway 4 out, ridden after next, 3rd when switched inside before last, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Cheltenham 2m (5) gs in Apr beating Delta Borget (11-10) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Shoreacres (IRE) 11-4 (12-2) Towards rear, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden and stayed on into 4th flat, never reached leaders, 4th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Daymar Bay (12-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) sft in Mar.
Gentle Duke 14-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along in modest 4th 13th, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Towcester 3m (6) sft in Mar.
Good Egg (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, blundered and unseated rider 5th, at Fontwell 3m 1f (6) gs in Feb.
Grandioso (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 5 out, chased leaders next, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 12, 6 1/4l behind Daymar Bay (12-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) sft in Mar.
Hazy Tom (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 2 out, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Lough Inch (12-0) at Cottenham 2m 4f gd in Nov.
On The Bridge (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, not fluent 5th, closed before 4 out, lost place before next, 7th of 11, 29 3/4l behind Dark Spirit (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Gauvain (GER) 14-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 6th, at Wincanton 2m 4f (6) sft in Mar.
