tracked leaders, ridden 11th, weakened 13th, left poor 4th after 3 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 12th
always in the rear, behind when pulled up 10th
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, faded approaching last
led, headed and weakened quickly 11th, pulled up before 13th
in touch, led 12th, ridden 3 out, withstood challenge from 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 11th
always in rear, pulled up before 12th
in touch, ridden 10th, weakening when unseated rider 4 out
mid-division, headway 12th, every chance 2 out, not quicken and flat
mid-division, mistake 2nd and 8th, ridden to lead 11th, headed next, weakening when pulled up and dismounted after 3 out
towards rear, mistake and rider lost iron 2nd, never a factor
mid-division, headway 11th, outpaced from 4 out
East Tycoon gets a narrow vote over Pak Jack, with Tonic Du Charmil, Sento, Art Virginia and Croix De Guerre others that can make their presence felt. East Tycoon loves it round here, having been successful four times in all, most recently when given a strong ride by Tony McCoy to wear down and beat Smart Cavalier last month. Since then the eight-year-old has himself found one too good in the shape of Il Duce at Bangor, but back on his favourite course, and with conditions to suit, Jonjo O'Neiil's charge is worth chancing to get the losses back. Pak Jack moved from Philip Hobbs to Richard Barber to contest the Aintree Foxhunter in which he was second to Scots Grey, and he again ran well in defeat at Ludlow. Now switched to Paul Nicholls, and with Ruby Walsh in the plate, he looks set to have a major say in proceedings. Tonic Du Charmil is now 5lb better off with the selection compared to Bangor, and as that was his first outing for some time, he is worth a mention, while the likes of Sento, Art Virginia and Croix De Guerre have all shown enough to warrant their place in the line-up. However, we shall adhere to the motto 'horses for courses' and rely on East Tycoon.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, stayed on one pace approaching last, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Oslot (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr.
East Tycoon (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Held up, headway 9th, chased winner from 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Il Duce (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Tommy Spar 20-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and effort 13th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 8, well behind Lucifer Bleu (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Art Virginia (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Led, left 5 lengths clear at 7th, not fluent 11th, strongly pressed from 3 out, headed soon after 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Idris (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Cool Roxy 10-1 (11-9) In touch, mistake and lost place 7th, behind from 8th, 3rd of 9, 10l behind East Tycoon (11-5) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Pak Jack (FR) 10-11fav (12-0) Raced keenly, mistake 5th, headway 12th going well, still 10 lengths 4th 3 out, stayed on well approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Mouseski (12-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd.
Which Pocket (IRE) 13-8 (11-1) Chased leader, headway after 10th, led 4 out, weakening when headed last, no extra, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Wild Is The Wind (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf in Apr.
Cream Cracker 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd.
