prominent, left in lead 10th, headed before 12th, ridden along and lost ground after 15th, lost touch with leaders 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
midfield when badly hampered by faller 10th, soon pulled up
chased leaders, led before 12th, pushed along after 4 out, ridden next, headed 2 out, ran on but no match for winner
led, fell 10th
in touch, ridden along and every chance after 3 out, ran on from 2 out, not pace to challenge
held up off the pace in rear, improved to chase leaders after 14th, headway after 3 out, led going easily next, soon went clear, readily
mid-division, shaken up after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, no extra from 2 out
prominent early, lost position after 11th, soon ridden and struggling, pulled up after 12th
handy when unseated rider 11th
chased leaders, lost position and reminders after 7th, in rear and detached from 13th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, well behind when pulled up before 3 out
Teenager Wishing And Hoping won this in 2021 and led until approaching the last when second last year. Only a pound higher than 12 months ago, he goes well fresh and has been aimed at the race again. The once-useful Top Ville Ben runs in one of these veteran races for the first time but he finished behind Celebre D'Allen in the Topham over the Grand National fences here in April. Three of these ran in the Chepstow qualifier won by Good Boy Bobby earlier this month but Cap Du Nord finished tailed off while Chirico Vallis fell and Landofsmiles was pulled up. Duc De Beauchene found some form in the spring and this race will have special meaning for the Pipe stable but NESTOR PARK was running well off similar marks in the spring and it’s about time he was getting his head back in front. Boldmere won at Wincanton and Fakenham last season but looks high enough in the weights on his reappearance.
Wishing And Hoping (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Jumped left at times, tracked leader, led 8th, pushed along and headed after 3 out, chased winner, ridden between last two, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner, weakened and lost two places when mistake last, 4th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Two For Gold (12-0) at Ascot 3m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Boldmere 5-4fav (11-6) Close up in touch, pressed leader before 12th, led before 15th, soon ridden, 1 length clear 2 out, soon went clear, reduced advantage approaching last where not fluent, stayed on gamely run-in, held on, won at Fakenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Apr beating Fidux (11-2) by nk, 3 ran.
Landofsmiles (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Towards rear, pushed along and headway after 13th, no impression, weakened 5 out, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, never involved, 12th of 29, dist behind Bill Baxter (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Nestor Park (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, jumped left at times, ridden 3 out, kept on, no telling impression, 3rd of 11, 5 1/2l behind Arizona Cardinal (10-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) gs in May.
Celebre D'Allen (FR) 50-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division, struggling from 11th (foinavon), plugged on, 8th of 29, 28 1/2l behind Bill Baxter (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Daly Tiger (FR) 50-1 (10-2) Mid-division, took keen hold, stumbled bend after 11th, towards rear when hampered 15th, pulled up before next, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Chirico Vallis (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, fell 3rd, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Jimmy The Digger 13-2 (10-10) In touch in mid-division, lost place 7th, bad mistake 14th, pulled up before 15th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Cap Du Nord (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, closed before 3rd, not fluent next, lost place after 13th, well beaten from 5 out, 7th of 9, 37 1/2l behind Good Boy Bobby (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Duc De Beauchene (FR) 85-40jfav (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, one pace final bend, weakened final 200 yards, 4th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Dee Star (10-2) at Cartmel 3m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
