held in rear, took keen hold, headway 4th, led after next, headed approaching 3 out, outpaced and beaten before 2 out
held up in touch, took keen hold, outpaced in 4th when mistake 2 out, soon well held, weakened approaching last
prominent, ridden after 7th, well held approaching 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, not fluent 4th, lost place when jumped slowly 6th, given reminders, behind 3 out, stayed on flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, ran on flat
held up in touch, closed 7th, every chance approaching 2 out, no extra last
set moderate pace, headed after 5th, led again when not fluent 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace flat, no impression on winner
Hoof It Harry spent the whole of last year over fences but isn't badly treated back over the smaller obstacles on his return from a lay-off. Adeus Ayrton has been away from the track for over a year but does have a recent point-to-point win under his belt, while Noddies Way has been given some leeway by the handicapper and may improve as a result. Orion Express may need further to show his best and the vote goes to THE COMPOSER. Michael Blanshard's gelding has won two of his last three starts and looks capable of defying a 5lb hike in the weights here.
Hoof It Harry (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) In touch in rear, not always fluent, jinked left approaching 15th, soon outpaced and no impression, 4th of 6, 22l behind Local Present (11-9) at Hereford 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Aug.
Adeus Ayrton (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Ap; led nr fin, won at Cothelstone 2m 4f ptp in Apr beating Grove Melody (12-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Dashing John 80-1 (10-7) Held up in rear and keen, pushed along before 5 out, left remote 4th last, 4th of 12, well behind Alverstone (10-2) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Noddies Way 33-1 (10-0) In touch in 4th, hit 8th, ridden before 4 out and soon outpaced, rallied after 4 out, weakened before next, 4th of 7, 17l behind Cubism (10-1) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) fm.
Orion Express 9-1 (10-6) Held up, mistake 1st, 5th and ridden after 9th, well held 2 out, 6th of 12, 42l behind Fishoutofwater (10-5) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Sansili 9-1 (10-4) In touch, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 14, 26l behind Molly Round (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
The Composer 9-4fav (11-0) Made all and set very slow pace, ridden to increase pace after 3 out, mistake last, ran on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr beating Little Eaglet (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Norwest (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 13, well behind Vallani (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
