prominent, led 3rd, travelling well when virtually fell 7th, not recover and immediately pulled up
chased leaders, left in lead 7th, hit 3 out, ridden and found little when headed soon after last
mistake 1st and 6th, always behind
chased leaders until weakened quickly after 3 out
in touch, hit 2nd, tracked leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, mistake 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
held up behind, steady progress from 7th, chased leader approaching 2 out, led soon after last, stayed on well
mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
always behind, tailed off when blundered 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, hung left from 2 out
in touch, went 3rd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when not fluent 2 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division until 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division until weakened after 8th, tailed off
mid-division until weakened after 7th, tailed off
led until 3rd, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
never fluent and always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Hibernian deserves to win a race of this nature having been knocking on the door but Oliver Sherwood's gelding keeps on finding at least one too good and he may have to settle for a minor role again so preference is for Onward To Glory, who gets the vote ahead of Briscoe Place. The last mentioned, a bumper winner at Worcester, opened his account over hurdles when landing a maiden hurdle at Hereford last month but he may struggle to follow up under his penalty. Recent course and distance winner Macmar has shown a similar level of form to Jonjo O'Neill's gelding and is another to consider along with Alan King's lightly raced Supreme Return, although he may do better once switched to fences. Hunting Lodge is another worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Onward To Glory. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding, a lightly raced stayer on the flat, has shown promise in both starts over hurdles so far and should appreciate today's longer trip and faster ground.
Briscoe Place (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Made most, ridden when headed briefly after 2 out, challenged again flat, kept on very gamely, won at Hereford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Pass It On (11-2) by a nk, 14 ran.
Macmar (FR) 9-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leader 7th, challenged and led 2 out, pushed clear from last, readily, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Sir Bathwick (11-0) by 13l, 8 ran.
Considine (USA) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 36l behind Oscatello (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Hibernian (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Led until ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 50l behind Saltango (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Hunting Lodge (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden 5th, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 10l behind Avesomeofthat (11-0) at Wincanton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Onward To Glory (USA) 2-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase leading pair after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind High Hope (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Supreme Return 7-1 (11-9) Led to 3rd, left in lead 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 15, 14l behind Over Bridge (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf.
Sonoma (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 13, 13l behind Arabian Moon (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 6f sll hcp (6) gf in Jul (Flat).
