always towards rear, never involved
chased leader, pushed along and weakened rapidly home turn
rear of mid-division, hard ridden and outpaced home turn, keeping on approaching last when not fluent, late headway for 4th
prominent, not fluent 1st, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division on inside, rapid headway 2 out, every chance when upsides last, kept on same pace flat
chased leader on inside, headway under pressure 2 out, outpaced approaching last, no extra flat
rear of mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway under pressure out wide 2 out, could not go pace of leaders approaching last, kept on flat in 3rd
mid-division, rapid headway home turn, led before 2 out, hard pressed last, kept on well flat, won going away
led, ridden and challenged 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching last
always towards rear, never a factor
LEADING CHOICE returned from an absence of just under a year to post a creditable third place at Chepstow last month behind members of the Nicholls and Skelton yards. Nicky Martin's gelding rates a likely improver and is a viable alternative, hopefully each-way, to the promising Lookaway. The latter is unbeaten in three starts, notably when landing the Grade 2 bumper at the Grand National meeting. This does look a good starting point for him over hurdles and he's obviously a massive threat. Saladam is hard to evaluate on the back of his sole pointing effort in March but did show definite promise and is in good hands. Quick Sharpener landed a point in the early spring and is worth a note, although the Newland yard has been unusually quiet in the past couple of weeks or so.
Adamhill (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division on outside, closed over 5f out, lost place over 2f out, 6th of 9, 12 3/4l behind Operation Manna (11-0) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Aug.
Carlo Du Berlais (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led until 1st, pressed leader, not fluent 6th, weakened before 2 out, mistake last, 8th of 12, dist behind Maximilian (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct.
Gentle Frank 6-4jfav (12-0) Stdy hdwy 12; chsd ldrs 14; chall when mist 2 out; kpt on flat, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Forest Chimes (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Jigginstown King (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Settled behind leaders, improved into 2nd after 5th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression after 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Jezarus (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Leading Choice (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Chased winner until 3 out, chased leaders and ridden, outpaced between last two, stayed on again run-in, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Makin'yourmindup (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Quick Sharpener (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) (h) held up last to 12; lft 2nd 15; led 3 out; clr nxt; just held on, won at Guilsborough 3m mdn sft in Mar beating Magnetic Zero (12-0) by nk, 5 ran.
Saladam (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 4th from 3rd, prog aftr 3out, went 2nd bef 2out, 3rd 2out, 2l 2nd bef last, no ch with wnr, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Amrons Sage (12-2) at Liscarroll 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Supreme Gift (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Chased leaders, closed over 6f out, ridden and stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 5 3/4l behind Give Me A Cuddle (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gd in Apr.
Safe Destination 11-1 (11-2) Disputed lead until ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 31 3/4l behind Allo Allo (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Dooyork (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, last before 3 out, soon behind, last of 4, dist behind Martalindy (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Lookaway (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on inside, led 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Hullnback (11-4) by 2l, 18 ran.
