held up, headway when jumped slowly 4 out, soon ridden, blundered 3 out, well held next, went 3rd flat
mistake and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 2 out
led until 1st, tracked winner, jumped left 2nd, mistake 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
took keen hold, led 1st, clear before last, very easily
held up, headway 3rd, hit 8th, chased winner 3 out, no impression when mistake last, weakened flat
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
This is a lot less competitive than the usual races RIVALISTE contests and Paul Nicholls' gelding, third at Wincanton last time, can make a welcome return to the winner's circle. Novice What's Up Doc may lack the experience for this but Quito Du Tresor wasn't beaten far at Perth last time and looks on the way back. Trooper Clarence has also been in good form lately and may still be improving. He's 5lb higher than when scoring at Bangor latest but is still preferred to C&D winner Marley Roca and the frustrating Mibleu.
Rivaliste (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) Held up in rear and in touch, went 2nd from 7th, led and going well after 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, not recover, one pace after, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Russian Flag (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Led utnil 3rd, led next, ridden and joined last, headed flat, held close home, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Regent's Secret (10-0) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Viable 10-1 (11-3) Held up well in rear, mistake 1st, took closer order 6th, slow 4 out, headway next, kept on well under pressure, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Rileyev (10-13) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
What's Up Doc (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Prominent, led 4th, headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Sweet World (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Marley Roca (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 6th, left in lead 8th, headed before next, led again after 2 out, pushed clear flat, comfortably, won at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Kack Handed (11-12) by 9l, 6 ran.
Trooper Clarence 11-10fav (11-12) Made all, ridden out flat, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Deputy Dog (11-6) by 12l, 4 ran.
Mibleu (FR) 13-2 (9-13) Held up in rear, pulled hard, hit 2nd, headway next, steadied 6th, went 3rd 4 out, hit 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 6, 17l behind Pepe Simo (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr.
Cortinas (GER) 4-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, outpaced from 7th, plugged on approaching last, 4th of 5, 22l behind Courella (11-3) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Humbel Ben (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always rear division, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Hidden Keel (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
