tracked leader, left in front approaching 13th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon one pace
towards rear, ridden approaching 13th, soon lost touch and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, blundered 4 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, soon ridden, one pace
mid-division, smooth headway and close up 4 out, led next, ridden from approaching 2 out, driven out
mid-division, outpaced from 13th
towards rear, lost touch from 14th, pulled up before 3 out
led until pulled up approaching 13th, lame
always behind, lost touch from 12th
behind and mistakes, outpaced from 13th
always towards rear, lost touch 11th, pulled up before 12th
in touch until outpaced 13th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Contact Dancer was useful over hurdles but has been hard to win with since being switched to the larger obstacles, winning just the once from 18 starts, so Peter Bowen's gelding looks best left out of calculations and the vote goes to Valiant Shadow with Franc Villez rated the pick of the remainder. The selection was the pick of these over hurdles and Alison Thorpe's gelding showed enough on his chasing debut when chasing home Charlie Mann's My Turn Now at Worcester last month to suggest that he can be the best of these over fences as well. Andrew Nick is less exposed than most of these after just seven career starts and Nigel Twiston-Davies continues to churn out plenty of winners so he has to be considered. Newbay Bob needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge, while point winner Doc Martin has given little real sign of encouragement in recent starts under rules. Franc Villez showed better form at Tipperary last time and has to be considered on that evidence but preference is for Valiant Shadow.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Chased leader to 2nd, 2nd again approaching 6th until 11th, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 5, 34l behind Quarry Town (10-12) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gd in Jun.
White Head (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Mid-division, tracked leaders from before 7 out, 3rd before straight, led from after 2 out, stayed on best run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hts chs gd in Apr beating Ground Ivy (11-4) by 3l, 14 ran.
Andrew Nick (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Prominent, mistake 7th, outpaced approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Battle Stations (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Essifer (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 8th 4 out, no extra, 7th of 14, 48l behind Mighty John Mcgee (11-5) at Kilbeggan 2m 6f beg chs frm in May.
Franc Villez (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Disputed, led before 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra, kept on same pace, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Clew Bay Lodge (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chs gf in Jun.
Mitchel Henry (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Made virt all; rdn clr flat, won at Hexham Points 3m ptp gd in May beating Lady Brig (11-7) by 4l, 10 ran.
Moneamon 40-1 (10-12) Held up, left 3rd 7th, hit 12th, brief effort after 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Dad's Army (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (4) gf in May.
Oh Really (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Led until slipped up at the 7th in race won by Dad's Army (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (4) gf in May, 5 ran.
Vagabondo Man (IRE) 5-1 (12-5) (ts) held up in tch; stdy prog 15; ev ch nxt; sn outpcd, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Leading Pearl (12-5) at Aspatria 3m ptp gf in May.
Valiant Shadow (GER) 9-4 (11-0) Held up, blundered 2nd, headway 10th, ridden next, no impression, 2nd of 9, 13l behind My Turn Now (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Jun.
Whats Up Mate (IRE) (12-0) pulled up 2 out in race won by Lord Lansdown (12-0) at Tinahely 3m ire ptp gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Cupid's Mission (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Held up, tailed off 4 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, well behind Contact Dancer (10-12) at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (4) gf in May.
Doc Martin (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) In touch, chased winner after 12th, ridden and effort between last 2, lost place flat, no extra, 4th of 11, 6l behind Fisherman Jack (10-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jun.
Newbay Bob 12-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on flat to go 2nd post, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Loita Hills (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jun.
Not A Trace (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Jumped right, chased leaders 5th, reminder after 8th, weakened approaching 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Scalloway (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jun, 11 ran.
