chased leaders, slightly hampered by faller 9th, weakened before 4 out
led, mistake 3rd and headed, tracked leader, fell 9th
mid-division, left in 3rd and soon chased clear leader from 9th, kept on but never on terms
tracked leader, hit 1st, led 3rd, raced keenly, left well clear 9th, shaken up and went further ahead before 2 out, awkward jump last, not extended
in rear and not fluent early, steadily lost touch from 11th, tailed off
towards rear, hit 9th and blundered, went remote 3rd before 4 out, plugged on
NonRunner
NonRunner
Most of these are tackling fences for the first time but Newton Abbot winner Valentino Dancer is having a fourth start over the larger obstacles and Quid Pro Quo has even more experience. Both have had a wind operation since last seen and the latter, who didn’t stay 3m last time, is much respected on earlier form. Hometown Boy hasn’t run since April 2021 but was a useful hurdler and Captain Morgs won at Cheltenham back in December. Kandoo Kid is also returning from a lay-off but has been very lightly raced. NICKLE BACK is another with very few miles on the clock and he was leading when falling in his only run between the flags. He did very well over timber last season and this his trip and favoured ground. Passing Well and Idalko Bihoue are other potentially-useful recruits to the chasing ranks.
Captain Morgs (IRE) 17-2 (12-0) Off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off and puled up before 2 out, at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Idalko Bihoue (FR) 10-3 (11-8) Led 1st, headed after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 5, 18l behind Hugos New Horse (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f (3) gs in Apr.
Kandoo Kid (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division out wide, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 14, 22 1/4l behind No Ordinary Joe (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Nickle Back (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, led after 1st, headed before 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 11, 8 1/2l behind Ballybegg (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Quid Pro Quo (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Chased leader, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner when reached at last, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Dieu Vivant (11-8) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Valentino Dancer 5-4 (11-4) Raced in second, joined leader going easily 2 out, soon led, went clear approaching last, idled and much reduced advantage run-in, always doing enough, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Shot Tower (10-5) by 1 3/4l, 3 ran.
Hometown Boy (IRE) 6-1fav (11-0) Led until after 1st, tracked leader, led again 9th, in command when bad mistake last, stayed on well, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr beating J'Ai Froid (11-6) by 3l, 19 ran.
Passing Well (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Some slow jumps in rear, headway after 4 out, outpaced and no impression from 3 out, 4th of 5, 10 1/2l behind Hugos New Horse (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f (3) gs in Apr.
