in touch, blundered 8th, badly hampered when outpaced 13th, tailed off from 5 out
chased leaders, led 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, driven out
held up, unseated rider 7th
mid-division, headway 5th, unseated rider 7th
chased leader, a close 2nd when unseated rider 13th
jumped badly throughout, always behind, tailed off from 8th, pulled up after 12th
held up and mistakes, in 3rd and ridden when fell 3 out
headway 5 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra last 50 yards
led to 2nd, chased leaders until weakened 4 out
chased leaders, fell 13th
held up, headway at omitted fence 5 out, hit next, left 3rd 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, hampered 2nd, weakened 4 out, behind when blundered 2 out
Nonrunner
Would You Believe has done nothing wrong of late and, despite a 14lb rise in the weights for his latest success, the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding is taken to win again with Harlov and Another Club Royal rated the main dangers. Harlov is potentially still ahead of the handicapper having run out an easy winner of a Kelso handicap last week but Alan Parker's gelding has never been the most consistent of performers. Irish raider Chevaux Loco is lightly raced and has to be respected along with Glen Warrior, who showed improved form at Uttoxeter last time. Silver Knight would have claims on the pick of his form but could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Ginger McCain has his string in good form at present so Another Club Royal has to be respected but a 9lb rise for his latest success at Haydock leaves him with more to do and preference is for Would You Believe, who is taken to win again.
Silver Knight 7-1 (11-8) Prominent, outpaced 14th, no danger after, 6th of 11, 30l behind Undeniable (11-4) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Apr.
Darina's Boy 11-1 (10-12) Started slowly, kept on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 11, 16l behind Bronzesmith (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Would You Believe 10-3fav (11-12) Always prominent, led 8th to 9th, not fluent 12th, led 14th, drew clear approaching last, driven out, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Apr beating Dun Locha Castle (10-7) by 18l, 13 ran.
Cassia Heights 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden after 9th, hit 4 out, soon weakened, behind when hampered 2 out, 7th of 11, 19l behind Bronzesmith (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Another Club Royal 10-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden after 2 out, led last, ran on, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr beating Valleymore (10-8) by 6l, 12 ran.
Harlov (FR) 16-1 (10-0) In touch, dropped rear 7th, pushed along halfway, outpaced and behind 14th, rallied 3 out, led after last, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf beating Just In Debt (11-8) by 3l, 8 ran.
Chevaux Loco (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, mistake 7th, progress into 5th 6 out, 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next, 2nd of 16, 8l behind Dans Dealer (11-3) at Listowel 3m hcp chs 0-109 gd in Sept.
Glen Warrior 7-1 (11-12) Behind, headway approaching 4 out, ridden when left 2nd 2 out, every chance last, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Blunham Hill (10-1) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb.
