chased leaders, hit 7th, went 2nd 3 out, no impression from last, kept on
led until after 1st, chased leader, led again before 3 out, stayed on well
chased leaders on outside, pushed along 10th, last before 4 out, soon got well behind
in rear, dived at 1st, not fluent 2nd or 5th, went 4th before 4 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on, never on terms
raced freely, led after 1st, hit 5th, mistake 11th, headed before 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up in 5th, dropped to last 6th, pulled up before 8th
NonRunner
Roi De Dubai was engaged in the 3.35 here yesterday so that run should be monitored. Minella Trump has won twice here since reverting to fences. He also scored over hurdles at the track in May on soft going but is giving weight to a potentially-smart recruit in ONE TRUE KING (NAP). A more-than-useful novice hurdler last season, winning at Uttoxeter and Leicester, he should make an even better chaser. Corach Rambler, a winning pointer who was 2-3 over hurdles, looks more of a staying type but Pay The Piper, another with a good strike-rate over the smaller obstacles, is interesting tackling 2m4f for the first time under Rules.
Pay The Piper (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Disputed third until dropped to fourth before 4 out, headway to chase leader next, driven to challenge after last, stayed on well but just failed, 2nd of 6, nk behind Theatre Legend (11-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Minella Trump (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Made all, 1 length ahead 2 out, driven flat, always just holding 2nd, won at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Hewick (11-8) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
One True King (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Led, headed after 3rd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Good Ball (10-9) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Corach Rambler (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leader until after 2nd, went 2nd again approaching 8th, pushed along to challenge 2 out, led before last, stayed on dourly, won at Carlisle 3m 1f (4) sft in Mar beating Equus Dreamer (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
One Touch (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, hit 8th, headway into midfield 11th, lost ground 13th, ridden and hit 14th, losing ground when pulled up before 4 out, at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Lord Napier (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th until 11th, outpaced 14th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 4, 24 1/2l behind Minella Trump (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Roi De Dubai (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Chased leader, led 5th, not fluent 2 out, joined last, ridden and in command final bend, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Pink Eyed Pedro (12-2) by 18l, 6 ran.
