behind, reminder 7th, mistake 12th and next, soon stuggling, pulled up 3 out
held up behind, hampered 3rd, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge between last 2, led soon after last, no extra when headed towards finish
tracked leaders, led when hit 5th, mistake 14th, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened last
in touch, led after 2nd to 5th, tracked leaders, went 2nd, after 15th, led 2 out, ridden and headed soon after last, rallied flat, regained lead towards finish
raced keenly, in touch on outside when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
raced keenly, held up behind, headway 13th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, effort and every chance between last 2, stayed on under pressure flat to go 2nd near finish, just held
mid-division, chased leaders when hit 15th, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, hampered by loose horse 6th, outpaced when hampered 4 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 13th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
led to after 2nd, with leader, hit 11th, lost place after 15th, 4th and under pressure when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 15th, headway under pressure 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat, not reached leaders
behind, reminders 7th, lost touch and pulled up before next
in touch, lost place 8th, reminder next, behind when mistake 15th, pulled up before 3 out
Great to see some of these old boys at the top of their game in spite of advancing years and IRISH RAPTOR is the one for us this afternoon. Nigel Twiston-Davies has often gone for a prep over hurdles before returning him to chasing but the handler has dispensed with that tactic this season and with a decent pot afoot, it's easy to understand why. Character Building is likely to be campaigned with Nationals in mind so it is with a heavy heart that we will oppose today. Alderburn has dropped to a handy enough mark so we should expect him to go well. Our Jasper should have warmed up for this with a run at Ludlow and though blinkers are tried, we are slightly worried about whether he will bounce after that long absence previously. Royal Rosa was quietly fancied at big odds for last year's Grand National and while he has ability, it has been rather compromised by consistent issues with regard his physical constitution. The evergreen Cornish Sett has his first run for Caroline Keevil.
Laskari (FR) 20-1 (11-6) In rear, not fluent 7th, struggling when mistake 10th, ran on flat, never nearer, 5th of 13, 6l behind Stormin Exit (10-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Character Building (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Behind, headway 27th, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 40, 37l behind Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, chased winner 14th, challenged and every chance 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 19, 28l behind Church Island (10-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Alderburn 28-1 (10-5) In touch, lost place 10th, under pressure 13th, tailed off 19th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Church Island (10-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 19 ran.
Retrievethelegend (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, not fluent 5th, dropped to 6th approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 7th of 11, 28l behind Hairy Molly (10-11) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp chs gd in Aug.
Magic Sky (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Always behind, pushed along 6th, struggling in rear soon after, tailed off, 10th of 11, 37l behind For Non Stop (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Valley Ride (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 3 out, no impression on leaders, 5th of 15, 7l behind Silmi (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 21st, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, no impression approaching last, 9th of 16, 20l behind A New Story (9-7) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Midnight Gold 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 13th, kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Royal Kicks (9-9) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Our Jasper 25-1 (11-4) In touch, led 3 out, ridden approaching next, headed approaching last, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 13, 5l behind King Roonah (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Royal Rosa (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Mid-division on outside when blundered and unseated rider 14th, in a race won by Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Rock Diplomat (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Never a factor, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Palace Merano (9-10) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 gd in Apr, 19 ran.
Fine By Me (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place when bumped 13th, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Royal Kicks (9-9) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
