in rear, headway 13th, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway after 5 out, pecked in 4th 4 out, led before last, kept on well, driven out
tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out before pulling up
held up towards rear, soon in rear, headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on from last, went 2nd towards finish
mid-division, headway before 8 out, led before 3 out, headed before last, lost 2nd towards finish
held up towards rear, blundered 16th, weakened from 5 out before pulling up
led, headed before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 15th before pulling up
close up, lost place 5th, headway before 10th, pushed along and weakened 16th before pulling up
SHY JOHN ran a fine race at the Cheltenham Festival, only weakening on the run to the last having chased the leaders throughout. He has to give weight away all round here but should get back on track if exertions haven't taken their toll. Last year's winner Combe Hill keeps putting off retirement and arrives off the back of a victory between the flags while Iron Chancellor will be staying on when others have cried enough. How's My Friend finished ahead of Latest Trend when third in a New Forest point-to-point last time but that form wouldn't normally be good enough for a race like this.
Shy John 25-1 (12-0) Held up behind, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, never able to challenge, weakened last, 8th of 24, 24l behind Tammys Hill (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gd in Mar.
Coombe Hill 4-1 (12-7) Held up; prog 13; led aft 4 out; drvn & held on wl, won at Quantock Staghounds 3m ptp sft in Mar beating Kirkleigh (12-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, effort after 10th, went 2nd 4 out until mistake next, no extra 2 out, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Maid Of Silk (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
How's My Friend 16-1 (12-0) Ap; ev ch last; nt qckn, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Rumbavu (12-0) at New Forest 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Iron Chancellor (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Trckd ldrs; led 17 til hdd 3 out; one pce, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Gone To Lunch (12-0) at Dulverton Farmers 4m ptp gd in Mar.
Latest Trend (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Hdwy 7; one pce 3 out, 4th of 11, 7l behind Rumbavu (12-0) at New Forest 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Marufo (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 7 out, headed before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, well behind Palypso De Creek (11-11) at Doncaster 3m 2f hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
Meilyr 20-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Vincitore (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Special Occasion 8-1 (11-0) (cp) prom til wknd 14, 4th of 6, 30l behind Gwanako (11-0) at Mendip Farmers 3m ptp gs in Mar.
