held up, ridden, headway after 4 out, stayed on, went 2nd, blundered last, not reach winner
prominent when hit 1st, mistake 3rd, dropped rear next, behind 8th, stayed on well from 2 out, went 3rd run-in
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, 4th when lost action before next, pulled up soon after
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, led after 6th until 8th, weakened 4 out, stumbled 2 out
mid-division until weakened 4 out
held up, ridden, no impression from 4 out
led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
jumped well, led 2nd until 6th, led 8th, jumped right 2 out and last, ran on well
Johnston's Swallow can complete the hat-trick at the expense of Red Society, Blandings Castle and Young Owen who look the main dangers. Johnston's Swallow is still very much at the right end of the handicap when you consider that he was racing off a mark of 115 just last year. Jonjo's charge started this year much better treated on a perch of 82, and has bounced back to form of late thanks to being dropped right back in trip. A 7lb penalty should not stop the nine-year-old from adding to his tally, and with conditions to suit, he is the one to beat. Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson teamed up to land this event 12-months ago with Damarisco and now rely on Red Society who still looks a little high in the handicap, but who will at least be fitter for his second outing of the year at Exeter last month. He would prefer further and is worth taking on. Blandings Castle created a favourable impression though when defying a six-month break on his chase debut over the course-and-distance three weeks ago, and could be one to follow during the summer, while of the remainder, Young Owen is worth a small mention after his Worcester success, but in truth he was allowed to dominate that poor race and will not have things his own way here, especially against Johnston's Swallow who still appears to be well ahead of the handicapper.
In The Frame (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up, mistake 3rd, reminded after 5th, behind from 9th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Risk Accessor (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Berengario (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, struggling when hit 6th, soon behind, 6th of 10, 26l behind Blaeberry (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in May.
Red Society (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, 2nd and held when hit last, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Cold Mountain (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Goldbrook 20-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 6th of 8, 14l behind Blaeberry (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Seize 9-2 (11-5) Held-up but in touch, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 13l behind Incorporation (10-5) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in May.
Johnston's Swallow (IRE) 5-4fav (10-4) Led 2nd, headed 8th, ridden 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Arctic Spirit (10-7) by 5l, 7 ran.
Blandings Castle 3-1jt-fav (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, led after 2 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May beating Be Positive (11-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Young Owen 13-2 (10-10) Made all, soon clear, ran on, won at Worcester 2m chs 0-90 (5) gf in May beating Swings 'n Strings (11-1) by 5l, 8 ran.
