mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden after 9th, some late progress, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden to press winner after 3 out until next, no extra
chased leaders, led 4 out, hit last, kept on well, ridden out
set good pace, headed 4th, led 7th until next, weakened after 4 out
raced keenly, led 4th until 7th, led next, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out
blundered 1st and 2 out, always behind
mid-division, headway after 9th, ridden in close 4th when fell 3 out
towards rear, ridden after 8th, never pace to get on terms
mid-division until 8th
outpaced in rear for most of way
Nonrunner
Sebastiano and Huguenot are respected but a chance is taken with TWIST BOOKIE. It's been a long time since Shaun Lycett tasted success and the selection hasn't been performing at the top of his game so he does have a bit to prove but there are reasons for believing that he can bounce back. He has won one and made the frame twice in just five starts over fences but hasn't tackled this discipline since winning in 2007. He's had an outing on the level to blow away the cobwebs and could be reinvigorated by going back over the larger obstacles. The ground looks a shade fast for Sebastiano unless there's significant rainfall but he has the ability to be a major player as does Huguenot although Rhys Flint will do well to get him to settle. Bollitree Bob may also benefit from reverting to chasing and neither he, Naxox nor Tempting Paradise are dismissed but a speculative vote is awarded to Twist Bookie.
Twist Bookie (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, weakened 3 out, last of 7, 47l behind Elaala (10-1) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Sebastiano (FR) 11-4fav (11-11) Took keen hold, held up in touch, steady headway 7th, mistake and driven after 3 out, rallied under pressure before 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Russian Flag (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Naxox (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Held up, hampered 7th, mistake and weakened 8th, jumped slowly next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Battlefield (9-12) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Huguenot (IRE) 10-3 (10-6) Tracked leading pair, chased winner 5th until ridden and lost 2nd 3 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 7, 11l behind Green Gamble (10-7) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Bollitree Bob 20-1 (10-13) Led and keen, headed 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Line Artic (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Spiritual Society (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Pulled hard, stumbled 1st, went close 3rd 5th, fell 6th, in a race won by Thievery (10-0) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Amir El Jabal (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, well behind Wasntme (10-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Tempting Paradise (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 13l behind Soprano (10-13) at Leicester 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Mar.
No Greater Love (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Chased leading pair, ridden to chase leader 8th until next, soon ridden, moderate 4th, when unseated rider last, in a race won by Silvo (9-11) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Diego Velasquez (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Led until 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 5th of 8, 36l behind Ede'iff (10-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Miss Midnight 9-2 (11-1) Led until 3rd, chased leaders, no pace after 8th, rallied after 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 30l behind Sea Saffron (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
Sanpor (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Raced 5th, trailing before halfway, never a factor, 5th of 6, 39l behind Deutschland (11-6) at Navan 2m nov stks sft in Mar.
