led, not fluent and headed 12th, hit 13th, pushed along after 5 out, regained lead 3 out, soon under pressure, kept on gamely, driven out
tracked leaders, headway when mistake 5 out, headway approaching 4 out, challenged next, ridden and every chance last, kept on towards finish
tracked leader, led 12th, headed 3 out, rallied approaching and mistake last, no extra flat
always in rear, outpaced from 13th
held up in touch, took closer order 8th, ridden and weakened from 4 out
Nonrunner
It should pay to focus on those towards the top of the racecard here with ALWAYS BOLD just preferred to the last time out winners Neptune Equester and The Ferbane Man. Donald McCain's charge shaped with promise when taking to fences for the first time at Bangor and, having won a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter over three miles, this step up in trip shouldn't pose too much of a problem. He's rated 130 over the smaller obstacles and there's reason to believe he'll prove as good over fences, so with normal improvement following that first try he's likely to prove hard to beat. Neptune Equester sets the standard of those to have won a race over fences with a rating of 120. Brian Ellison's charge won a course and distance contest last time and is likely to give supporters a good run for their money, especially as further progress is entirely plausible. He's asked to give 7lbs to our selection though and that may prove too much. Similarly, The Ferbane Man is required to give away a penalty and on balance he's up against it. Tim Vaughan's charge hasn't been out of the first two in three tries over fences, winning last time, but he scraped home that day and this looks tougher so he may have to make do with third. Willie Martin graduates straight to fences following four runs in bumpers and he should improve for the switch. That said, winning this warm contest on his first try would require a big effort and he's easily opposed on this occasion as are Cute N You Know It and Flag Hill, with Always Bold a confident pick.
Neptune Equester 5-2fav (11-8) Held up in rear, headway approaching 12th, went 2nd before 4 out, led 2 out, ridden clear flat, ran on well, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Our Hero (11-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
The Ferbane Man (IRE) 3-10fav (10-13) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, under pressure after last, kept on towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Stolen Moments (10-13) by nk, 4 ran.
Always Bold (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Prominent, not fluent 1st, lost ground on leaders 7th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner after 2 out, closed flat, no impression, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Otage De Brion (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Flag Hill 10-1 (10-0) In rear, headway halfway, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Ginger's Lad (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May, 11 ran.
Willie Martin (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Prominent, 3rd halfway, 4th 6f out, lost place before straight, soon no extra, 10th of 15, 26l behind Aughaloor (12-0) at Navan 2m N H flat in Mar.
Cute N You Know It 8-1 (9-9) Always prominent, led 8th, headed 2 out, no chance with winner when hung right and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Flying Doctor (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hld 0-95 (5) gd in May.
