in touch, headway on inside approaching 3 out, led narrowly next, headed last, kept on same pace run-in, lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on approaching last, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
in touch, jumped slowly 2nd, headway chasing leaders 8th, went 2nd after 4 out, chased new leader after 2 out, every chance when stumbled and nearly unseated rider last, weakened run-in
often jumped right, pecked 1st, made most until headed 6th, in front again after 8th, headed 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, still chance when blundered and unseated rider last
raced keenly, chased leader, led 6th until after 8th, chased leader until after 4 out, weakened next
patiently ridden in rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led last, quickened clear
chased leaders, weakening when mistake 3 out, pulled up before last
tailed off throughout
NonRunner
Patricktom Boru was beaten 26 lengths when third in this last year and is unlikely to fare much better this time. Meldrum Lad has won all three starts between the flags since joining Justin Landy. He won three times over fences when trained by Seamus Durack and may offer more value than stablemate Seefood, who carries a penalty and unseated Charlotte Crane at Aintree when last running under Rules. VIRAK has been cleverly placed by Rose Loxton and this looks another good opportunity. Natalie Parker has been riding plenty of winners and her mount can be excused his run at Cheltenham four weeks ago when up against two very smart hunter chasers.
Seefood (IRE) 1-3fav (11-4) Hdwy 9; led 15; easy, won at Easingwold 3m gd in May beating Major Ridge (10-9) by 8l, 5 ran.
Virak (FR) 6-1 (12-4) Not always fluent, led narrowly to 4th, remained prominent, outpaced by clear pair 5 out, kept on but no danger after, 3rd of 7, 13 1/4l behind Hazel Hill (12-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gs in May.
Brackloon High (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Prom til outpcd 15; rallied nxt; kpt on flat, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Chasforgold (11-7) at Woodford 3m in Apr.
Cloudy Joker (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Led to 2; led 8; r.o wl, won at Tabley 3m in May beating Fair Exchange (12-0) by 8l, 5 ran.
Kriss William (FR) 6-1 (11-0) (cp) led 7 til hdd last; no ex flat, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Big Man Doe (11-4) at Peper Harow 3m gd in May.
Meldrum Lad (IRE) 8-13fav (11-0) Hdwy 7; led 9 til hdd flat; rallied to ld cl home, won at Hornby Castle 2m 6f gf in Apr beating Buck Dancing (11-0) by hd, 8 ran.
Patricktom Boru (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) A.p; led 8; qcknd clr 13; jnd post, won at Lower Machen 3m in May beating Hospital (10-9), 7 ran.
Ar Fheabhas Ar Fad (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Sn wl bhnd; t.o, last of 3, 8l behind Hot To Trot (11-7) at Kingston Blount 3m gd in May.
Big Casino 9-2 (12-0) Trckd ldrs til wknd 2 out, 3rd of 4, 16 1/2l behind Ballyrath (12-0) at Cold Harbour 4m gd in May.
