chased leaders, reminders after 7th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 3 out, stayed on well until headed and not quicken flat
towards rear when fell 2nd
never really travelling in rear, driven along 9th, struggling after 4 out
mid-division, brief effort under pressure before 3 out, soon beaten
in touch, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, 3rd when not fluent 2 out, weakened flat
chased leader until weakened rapidly before 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off
always behind, mistake 5th, struggling after 4 out, tailed off
led headed before 3 out, weakened before next
held up, headway 9th, chased leaders after 4 out, led before next, mistake and narrowly headed 3 out, rallied last, edged right and led flat, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on leading duo
behind, mistake 10th, headway after 4 out, in touch next, no extra from 2 out
in touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened from 2 out
CHAMPTHO may again be able to get the better of Lord Collingwood although Indian Pipe Dream ran a blinder on his chase bow and there are plenty more in here with chances. Oliver Sherwood's gelding was hard pressed to get the better of Lord Collingwood by a head at Bangor but he was still on the bridle at the last and may just be a little better than the bare form suggests; he's only 2lbs higher and should go well. The runner-up clearly has to be feared but he made a bad mistake last time, losing his jockey in the process, and others make more appeal as a result. Indian Pipe Dream ran a fine race on his first attempt over fences and has claims if building on that whilst Overbranch has the scope to make a chaser although she hasn't been seen over fences since 2008. King Of Leon is worth considering on his chase bow, Itea Du Fau may appreciate being dropped in trip whilst Chicago Alley has looked an improved performer for this yard but Champtho gets the nod.
Itea Du Fau (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, blundered 4th, disputed 2nd approaching 9th, ridden and every chance after 2 out, left 2nd last, one pace, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Rosie All Over (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m mares hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Indian Pipe Dream (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, jumped slowly 1st, headed 5th, pushed along approaching 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, stayed on well from last, just held near finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind King Fontaine (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gd in Apr.
Magellan Straits 15-2 (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, chased leading trio 10th, stayed on same pace after 4 out, 4th of 9, 25l behind Knockavilla (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Apr.
King of Leon (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, prominent until weakened from 2 out, 4th of 11, 14l behind Dean's Grange (11-0) at Kempton 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Overbranch 9-2fav (11-0) Led until 2nd, led before 4th, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 5th of 11, 25l behind Heavenly Chorus (11-3) at Hexham 2m mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Champtho (FR) 11-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear but in touch, with leader 10th, led approaching 2 out, jumped right last, just held on, won at Bangor 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Lord Collingwood (10-11) by hd, 6 ran.
It's A Roofer (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, behind from 10th, 11th of 15, 45l behind Baltic Pathfinder (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Rokinhorsescience (FR) 11-1 (11-12) In touch, effort to challenge approaching 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression from next, 5th of 16, 41l behind Flying Doctor (9-13) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Lindseyfield Lodge (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Made virtually all, stayed on well from last, won at Kelso 2m 6f sll hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Instant Shot (10-5) by 7l, 14 ran.
Chicago Alley 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, mistake 8th, chased winner approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, always held by winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Star Tenor (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Apr.
Lord Collingwood (IRE) 7-4fav (10-5) Tracked leader, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Nothingbutthetruth (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 6 ran.
Safe Investment (USA) 20-1 (11-9) Held up in mid-division, weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, 33l behind Lord Gunnerslake (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
Mad Professor (IRE) 11-4fav (10-4) Towards rear when hit and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Mattaking (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf, 10 ran.
