held up towards rear, headway and in touch 4 out, 4th and staying on when pecked badly next, kept on same pace from next, no impression
made all, driven 3 out, ridden next, stayed on well flat (no time taken)
chased leaders, 4th and under pressure when mistake 4 out, soon lost place, weakened from next
mid-division on outside, reminders 12th, struggling 14th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
mid-division on inside, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, mistake 12th, outpaced 14th, 6th and beaten when mistake 4 out, soon weakened
behind, sruggling 11th, lost touch and pulled up before 13th
tracked winner, ridden 2 out, no impression approaching last, plugged on under pressure flat, finished tired, held on for 2nd near finish
always towards rear
mid-division, lost place 12th, soon behind, ridden and stayed on under pressure from 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, ridden and effort after 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, no impression
behind, struggling 11th, lost touch and pulled up before 13th
Nonrunner
A tricky race to call and it's unlikely that there's another Backstage lurking amongst their number. Gordon Elliott is represented by Hoopy and it would be no surprise to see him go well whilst Flemross is one of the likelier candidates but we'll take a chance with GINOLAD as long as he's in double figures. The selection made a winning start on arrival from Australia but rather lost his way after that until running with a little more promise at Ludlow last time. That form is a long way removed from what's required to win this but he shaped as though this longer trip may be within his range and connections had quite high hopes for him when he arrived. Hoopy returns to action from a short break sporting blinkers for the first time and he has the ability to be a factor whilst Flemross is unexposed and appears to have been primed for this race after a recent spin over hurdles which should have put him spot on for the return to chasing which he seems certain to appreciate. Piano Star is another that may appreciate reverting to chasing whilst Sir Bathwick and Picaroon have to be considered but Ginolad gets the nod.
Piano Star 8-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, late headway in 9th 2 out, ridden into 8th last, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 7l behind One Back For Luck (10-6) at Kilbeggan 3m hcp hdl gd.
Ollie Magern 11-4 (10-12) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-12) at Perth 3m chs (2) gd in Apr.
Flemross (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 5th and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, left moderate 2nd 2 out, pecked last, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 12, 26l behind Rigour Back Bob (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 6f hdl gf.
Hoopy (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 9th, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, 10th of 28, 21l behind Oscar Time (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 in Dec.
Jack The Blaster 9-1 (11-11) Held up, headway at 5 out, went 2nd next, rallied and upsides last, ridden and stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Stormin Exit (10-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Lothian Falcon 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, blundered 8th, 8th and no chance when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Church Island (10-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 19 ran.
Militant (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Mid div, not qckn 3out, ko onepce, 4th of 6, 19l behind Royal Ranger (11-7) at Necarne 3m ire ptp gd.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Made vitually all, in command from 4 out, stayed on gamely, ridden out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf beating Newbay Bob (10-6) by 4l, 8 ran.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 5 out, hampered on bend when losing place soon after, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Sheriff Hutton (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf, 9 ran.
Ginolad (AUS) 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 13th, headway 16th, outpaced after 18th, stayed on approaching last, took 2nd post, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Tyup Pompey (10-2) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Go Silver Bullet (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Led, not fluent 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, regained narrow lead last, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Nelson du Ronceray (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Doc Row (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed approaching 4th, with leader, outpaced 2 out, stayed on gamely from last, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Treehouse (9-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Picaroon 4-1fav (11-4) Towards rear, headway approaching 7th, hit 9th, with leader next, ridden and disputed lead 2 out, led approaching and headed last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Storymaker (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
