held up, ridden after 13th, soon struggling, tailed off
in touch, towards rear and ridden when mistake 13th, tailed off
mid-division, struggling from 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, hit 5th, jumped slowly 11th, soon lost place, last when jumped slowly 13th, tailed off
held up, jumped slowly 2nd, hit 8th, ridden and struggling from 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, mistake 7th, hampered 8th, headway approaching 12th, 2nd 17th, every chance 3 out, outpaced by winner well before 2 out
in touch, jumped slowly 9th, mistake 11th, lost place when mistake 12th, soon ridden and struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leader until 6th, remained prominent, ridden 14th, weakened after 4 out
held up, headway 15th, led 17th, clear well before 2 out, easily
jumped slowly 2nd, ridden and struggling 5th, jumped slowly 7th, pulled up before 8th
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, mistake 10th, not fluent 14th, led approaching 15th, headed and mistake 17th, weakened 3 out
not jumped well, mid-division, struggling from 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden along after 16th, weakened approaching 3 out
keen, led until before 15th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Irilut has shown progressive form between the flags of late and Robert Waley-Cohen's gelding is taken to make a winning return to rules, getting the vote ahead of Kilbreena and Thorsgill. The last mentioned has shown respectable form under rules of late and the lightly raced gelding has to be respected. Fruitfull Citizen has struggled to get her head in front, while Maximoss stepped up on all known form when running out the easy winner at Bangor last time but faces a sterner test here. High Rank is capable but likely to be placed at best, while multiple winning pointer Southwestern lost no caste in defeat on ground softer than ideal at Towcester recently and may do better back on this ground today. Kilbreena was good value for his win at Chepstow last time and has solid claims but preference is for Irilut, who is taken to continue winning ways.
High Rank 15-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders to 8th, stayed prominent, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Hatsnall (11-10) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hts chs (5) gf.
Irilut (FR) 2-7fav (12-0) (cp) made virt all; comf, won at Ashorne 3m ptp gd beating Protagonist (12-0) by 5l, 3 ran.
Kilbreena (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Unruly in paddock and unseated rider, led to post, tracked leaders, led after 13th, clear 4 out, easily, won at Chepstow 3m mdn hts chs (5) gd in Apr beating Mister Bigtime (11-9) by 23l, 16 ran.
Southwestern (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Held up, headway 11th, led last, headed line, 2nd of 11, shd behind Vinnie Boy (12-2) at Towcester 3m hts chs (3) sft.
Thorsgill 5-1 (12-0) Led 2nd, headed 4 out, every chance when blundered badly next, one pace after, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Coomakista (11-11) at Hexham 3m 1f hts chs (6) gf.
Fruitfull Citizen (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) 2nd til led 8; hdd app 2 out; no ex clsng stages, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Kings Euro (12-0) at Pentreclwydau 3m ptp gd.
History Master (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 12th, plugged on to take 3rd after last, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Knife Edge (12-0) at Uttoxeter 3m hts chs (6) gd.
Maximoss (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, led after 1st, clear from 4 out, not fluent 2 out, unchallenged, won at Bangor 3m nov hts chs (6) gd beating Cash In Hand (11-9) by 16l, 6 ran.
