chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, led after 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with easy winner
close up in 5th, went 4th soon after 12th, stayed on same pace from 4 out
chased leader until 3rd, went 2nd again 8th until 11th, chased leading pair, went 2nd again before led 2 out, soon clear, easily
raced wide, held up in rear, never involved
led, narrowly headed after 4 out, soon ridden along chasing leader until approaching 2 out, 3rd and no impression on leading duo
took keen hold, held up in rear on inside, good headway to chase leaders 10th, went 2nd 11th, blundered badly next, weakened, not recover, tailed off
took keen hold, held up and never on terms, tailed off
raced wide and sometimes jumped left, chased leader 3rd until 8th, lost place after 10th, no chance after
Nonrunner
KIRKEIGH isn't an easy ride but beat Coombe Hill by seven lengths at Wincanton in January, when subsequent Ludlow scorer Martys Mission was a well-beaten third, before edging out Gentle George at Chepstow and that's the best form on offer in this. How's My Friend is a regular here and finished ahead of Carrickmines when third over course and distance last time and makes more appeal than recent points winner Prince Massini. King Cyrus has a lengthy absence to overcome and it will be a surprise if Benedictus or Havenstone are good enough at this level.
Coombe Hill 50-1 (12-0) Prominent, hit 9th, 4th when blundered 4 out, outpaced when not fluent next, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Salsify (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) sft in Mar, 23 ran.
Kirkleigh 10-11fav (11-10) In rear early, soon in touch, went 2nd from 7th, led 4 out, pressed from last, kept on gamely, pushed out, won at Chepstow 3m hts chs (6) hvy in Mar beating Gentle George (11-8) by shd, 5 ran.
Benedictus (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, struggling 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Salsify (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) sft in Mar, 23 ran.
How's My Friend 7-1 (11-7) Raced wide tracking leading pair in 3rd and 4th, badly outpaced 3 out, rallied and hung badly left flat, strong run to 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Nicto De Beauchene (12-4) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
King Cyrus (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) Prominent, hampered 2nd, ridden after 12th, no impression on winner from after 2 out, 2nd of 5, 22l behind Louis Pasteur (10-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp hts chs (4) gd in May.
Carrickmines (IRE) 17-2 (11-13) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th (water), led after 9th, 10 lengths ahead after 14th, reduced lead before joined 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 4, 32l behind Robin Will (12-2) at Exeter 3m hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Havenstone (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Bhnd til hdwy 13; chsd wnr 15; no imp flat, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Miss Midnight (10-7) at Quantock Staghounds 3m ptp sft in Mar.
Prince Massini (IRE) 2-7 (11-0) Led to 4; led 6; clr 11; unchall, won at North Hereford 3m ptp gs in Mar beating Kirbybroguelantern (11-0) by well, 2 ran.
Martys Mission (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, went 3rd soon after 4 out, led before 3 out, ridden and headed 3 out, chased leader until ridden before next, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 26l behind Merrion Square (11-9) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
