in touch in mid-division, headway 11th, challenged before last, stayed in to lead towards finish
prominent, led after 3rd, headed 14th, led next, headed towards finish, stayed on, just held
unseated rider 1st
prominent, mistake 2nd, not fluent 12th, lost place 15th, weakened 3 out
led until 2nd, prominent, led 14th, headed next, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd close home, unable to challenge
prominent, led 2nd, headed after 3rd, lost place 11th, not fluent next, behind 13th, pulled up before 15th
chased leaders, mistake 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up, mistake 2nd, not fluent 5th, reminder after 10th, jumped left 15th, headway before 4 out, weakened approaching last
held up, mistakes 11th and 13th, hampered and awkward 15th, soon weakened, blundered 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Richard Newland's recent acquisition Express Du Berlais easily justified market confidence back over fences at Fontwell and is worth a try in this higher grades. HOLLOW BLUE SKY won very easily over 2m6f at Haydock and is another with decent claims. Jamie Bargary's claim is another plus so he is taken to score again, though Benefit Cut has been tumbling down the weights and could figure. Samingarry came right back to form at Chepstow while the going will suit Drop Out Joe but Lamool tries a new trip, as does Mwaleshi, while last year's winner Bear's Affair has been hurdling lately and looks to have a bit more to do on these terms.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 21, 15l behind Taglietelle (11-6) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Samingarry (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until 8th, lost place 11th, closed from next, challenged 5 out, led 4 out, clear from next, ridden out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Apr beating Velator (10-10) by 5l, 12 ran.
Across The Bay (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Prominent on outside, hit 4th, lost place and reminders before 22nd (2nd bechers), soon behind, pulled up before 6 out (2nd valentines), in a race won by Many Clouds (11-9) at Aintree 4m 3f hcap ch Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 39 ran.
Mwaleshi 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 2nd 10th, led 13th, headed and stumbled 3 out, chased leaders, no extra from next, 5th of 13, 9l behind Presenting Junior (10-6) at Ayr 2m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Drop Out Joe 20-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, in 7th before 4 out, one pace and no impression from next, 9th of 29, 36l behind Wayward Prince (10-1) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Lamool (GER) 7-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden and one pace before 2 out, kept on run-in, never going pace to get competitive, 5th of 10, 11l behind Ruben Cotter (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Carrigdhoun (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Led, headed before 5 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 8, 27l behind Sun Cloud (11-9) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Apr.
Benefit Cut (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Mid-division, chased leaders when bumped 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next, 5th of 11, 20l behind Anay Turge (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Express Du Berlais (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Held up towards rear and in touch, went 2nd before 7th, led before 4 out, soon clear, kept on, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Friendly Society (11-6) by 6l, 6 ran.
Hollow Blue Sky (FR) 11-1 (9-10) Held up, mistake 1st, headway 13th, ridden next, led 3 out, clear from next, stayed on, won at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs (2) sft in Apr beating Silvergrove (10-5) by 6l, 15 ran.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Prominent, led before 13th, headed next, every chance after 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened before last (usual 2 out), 12th of 17, well behind Cause Of Causes (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m Listed ch (1) gs in Mar.
