led, ridden and headed last, weakened run-in
in rear, headway to go 3rd before 2 out, switched right before last, led run-in, kept on and caught post
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and headway after last, kept on to lead post
in touch in 4th, pushed long before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, jumped mainly left, mistake 4th, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead last, headed run-in, no extra
Nonrunner
Only six face the starter in this but it's an interesting opener. Donald McCain's pair both carry prohibitive penalties and that could make it hard work, though it's probably safe to assume Sealous Scout is the pick with Jason Maguire preferring the easy Hexham winner to Mr Burgees. CHAMPAGNE PRESENT changed hands for a tidy sum after running away with a point-to-point at Kilmallock in April. Gay Smith has sent some useful jumpers to Jonjo O'Neill down the years and this could be another. Vintage Vinnie has already won a point-to-point and a bumper and could be a threat while The Last Euro also has plenty of scope.
Mr Burgees (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, one pace, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Man Of Plenty (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Champagne Present (IRE) 9-4 (11-9) Mid-div, prog to ld bef 5th, 3l ld bef 6th, 8l adv bef last, kow to line, impressive, won at Kilmallock 3m ire ptp sft in Apr beating Work In Progress (11-9) by 10l, 8 ran.
Chicoria (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Took keen hold chasing leader when carried badly right on stable bend after 1st, behind after, not recover, 6th of 10, 39l behind Dubawi Island (11-11) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
The Last Euro (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Ww rr, mstk 6out & 10th going well bef 5out, prog in 6th 4out, chall & ld bef 2out, hdd early flat, no ch with wnr, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Limos (11-9) at Inch 3m ire ptp gd in Apr.
Vintage Vinnie (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leader, took keen hold and soon led, restrained and headed after about 3f, led again over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on, won at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gs beating Champagne Chaser (11-2) by 1l, 6 ran.
Sealous Scout (IRE) 4-11fav (11-5) Made all, clear before last, easily, won at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in May beating Cobajayisland (10-12) by 25l, 7 ran.
