mid-division, jumped left 3rd and 4th, weakened next, pulled up after 3 out
in touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
prominent, chased leader, ridden to lead 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra
towards rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out
prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace
chased leader, fell 2nd
held up, headway on bit approaching 2 out, led and jumped left last, driven out flat
towards rear, ridden and weakened 3 out
led to 2 out, ridden and soon weakened
towards rear, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out to approaching last, not quicken
Nonrunner
CORNAS is an interesting proposition for the season ahead and may have too much firepower for Russian Invader and Pepperoni Pete amongst others. Nick Williams may be more readily associated with chasers but he also gets plenty of winners over the smaller obstacles and the selection should make his mark in this sphere. He was a slow learner but he produced a fine run in April to get the better of Albinus with the pair clear of the field and proved that that was no fluke when chasing home Woolcombe Folly at a respectful distance next time. His handicap mark is fair and he should make his presence felt. Russian Invader won well enough on his hurdling bow to be pitched into Grade 2 company for his second start but he came up short there and failed to reproduce his debut form on his only subsequent outing. He's had a recent run on the Flat and isn't one to write off just yet. Pepperoni Pete looked sure to open his account for Milton Harris at Wetherby only to stumble badly having jumped the last flight. Reservations remain regarding his resolution but he's in good form and remains well enough handicapped to be a factor. Dominican Monk, Allez Frank and Oldrik are worth a second look in the market but our vote goes the way of Cornas.
Cornell Precedent 66-1 (10-7) Behind when fell at the 2nd in race won by I'msingingtheblues (11-2) at Kempton 2m beg chs (3) gd, 11 ran.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Chased leaders, led 3 out, hung left approaching last, stumbled after last, soon headed, not recover, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Coolnaharan (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) frm.
Russian Invader (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, driven from 3 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 16, 16l behind Rippling Ring (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Jardin De Vienne (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon chasing leaders, beaten when mistake last, 7th of 16, 13l behind Leamington Lad (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Dominican Monk (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) In touch, led 6th, ridden 3 out, headed soon after, one pace, 4th of 10, 13l behind Sole Agent (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec '06.
Wise Owl 14-1 (10-5) With leader, led before 2nd, headed 3rd, every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out, hampered last, 13th of 16, 41l behind Leamington Lad (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Arthurs Dream (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Held up, headway 6th, led after 3 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Taunton 2m 1f sll hdl (5) sft in Mar beating Sea Cookie (9-9) by 12l, 6 ran.
Widely Accepted (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up, outpaced 5th, some headway 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 6, 13l behind Top Achiever (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
John Charles (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, tailed off, 7th of 12, 45l behind Just Beware (9-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
Oldrik (GER) 11-4 (11-7) Never fluent, in touch, struggling 7th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Humid Climate (10-1) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
And Your Point Is (USA) 11-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on approaching last, went poor 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Amazing King (10-11) at Plumpton 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Allez Frank (GER) 40-1 (11-6) Towards rear, reminder 3rd, ridden 3 out, one pace, 7th of 16, 7l behind Picot de Say (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Bazart 5-1 (11-11) Prominent, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 17, 6l behind Norisan (10-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Cornas (NZ) 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 17l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-11) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Royal Prodigy (USA) 50-1 (10-3) In rear, pushed along after 4th, stayed on past beaten horses from 3 out, went a moderate 4th flat, 4th of 15, 22l behind First Point (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
