tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, kept on when hard pressed flat, headed narrowly towards finish
pressed leader, lost place 4 out, weakened after next
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd and again 7th, struggling 3 out, plugged on approaching last, never a threat
tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to take modest 4th before last, no chance with leaders
led, joined 2 out, headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair flat
held up in touch on outside, ridden to chase front pair after 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, stayed on to lead narrowly towards finish
Aye Aye Charlie was third in this last year and went on to run at the highest level at Cheltenham and Aintree, saving his best until last when fourth in a Grade 1 in April. However, he’s likely to be a short price and there are several promising types in this including STONEY MOUNTAIN. Henry Daly’s gelding won bumpers at Warwick and Bangor last season and also ran in the championship event at Cheltenham – he is held in some regard. Peter Bowen runs two but Fortunes Hiding is likely to prove the pick. Present Ranger showed more over this trip at Doncaster in January and has had wind surgery since.
Aye Aye Charlie 25-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 4 out, edged left after 2 out, still 7th last, went 4th and stayed on flat, unable to challenge, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Black Op (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Dorking Cock (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Keen early, chased leader to 5th, every chance 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Commanche Red (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
Easter Eric 16-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden and edged left 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Genius (10-12) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in May.
Fortunes Hiding (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led after 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Glen Roe (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Landofsmiles (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9f out until 3f out, one pace and beaten over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Mick Manhattan (10-10) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Apr.
Present Ranger (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, left 3rd from last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 8 3/4l behind King Of Realms (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Stoney Mountain (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge well over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead last strides, won at Bangor 2m 1f (5) gs in Apr beating Imperial Knight (11-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
