prominent, pecked 8th, blundered 11th, soon ridden, no chance with leaders
led 1st to 7th, ridden, lost touch 12th, soon behind, tailed off
held up in mid-division, ridden, weakened after 10th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 8th, led on bit 4 out, clear 3 out, comfortably
held up towards rear, headway 10th, went 3rd 13th, weakened approaching 3 out
blundered, unseated rider 1st
held up in mid-division, mistake, unseated rider 10th
mistake, unseated rider 1st
led to 1st, chased leader, led after 7th, ridden, headed 4 out, no chance after
Magnifico has the highest rating of these over hurdles but that was earned when he was trained by Martin Pipe and it is hard to guess how good he will be in the care of Karen Waldron so a safer bet may prove to be Love Of Classics, who gets the vote ahead of Amanpuri. The last mentioned has shown steady improvement over hurdles and made a promising start to his chasing career in a decent race at Worcester last week and he has to be respected. John Spearing's Hop Fair has to improve on all known evidence to trouble the judge, while Rustic John has given little sign for encouragement so far and preference is for Love Of Classics. Oliver Sherwood's gelding could not have won his maiden hurdle with any more ease when last seen and, provided that he is fit enough, the six-year-old could well be good enough to beat these.
Amanpuri (GER) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden when pecked 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Heltornic (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (3) gs.
Gunville 25-1 (10-7) Led to 10th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Knowhere (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs, 5 ran.
Love Of Classics 2-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, led after 3 out, in command when left well clear before last, won at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr beating Madam Fleet (10-2) by a distance, 9 ran.
Matt The Thrasher (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, disputed lead 3rd, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden and weakening when mistake 2 out, behind when fell at the last in race won by Spuradich (11-6) at Hereford 2m nov chs (4) gf, 9 ran.
Rustic John 200-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Bradley Boy (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Magnifico (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 23rd of 24, well behind Kadoun (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Hop Fair 33-1 (10-7) Chased winner until ridden after 8th, weakening when blundered 3 out, 4th of 9, 29l behind Ar Nos Na Gaoithe (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gf.
Missy Moscow (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Led until after 11th, kept on but always held by winner, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Bowleaze (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd.
