led, not fluent 6 out, headed after 2 out, kept on and always well held run-in
chased leaders, lost place before 3 out
in rear, outpaced before 3 out, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish, no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 6 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, readily
close up, ridden before 2 out, lost 3rd when no extra towards finish
Forth Bridge doesn’t have a jumping pedigree but did win twice over hurdles in his first season and Charlie Longsdon will be hoping The Queen’s gelding can take advantage of his four-year-old allowance in this. SCEAU ROYAL won a Grade 2 over hurdles last season and finished sixth in the Champion Hurdle. He’s reportedly schooled well over fences and could take high rank among this season’s novice chasers. Ballyhill is rated 133 over timber but that’s too high, which is probably the reason he’s now jumping fences. Positively Dylan may enjoy a slight fitness advantage but lacks the class of some of the others.
Ballyhill (FR) 80-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, modest progress 2 out, soon weakened, 19th of 23, dist behind Champagne Classic (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Farm The Rock (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, 4th and no impression when not fluent 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 11, 19 3/4l behind Theatrebar (12-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Positively Dylan 4-6fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden when mistake 2 out, soon edged left, held by winner when blundered last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Foxy Act (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gs in Jul.
Sceau Royal (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression before last, 9th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Chesterfield (10-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Forth Bridge 7-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed before not fluent 2 out, soon beaten, disputing modest 4th when bumped on landing last, 5th of 8, 23l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
