led until 2nd, chased leader weakened after 4 out, tailed off
raced keenly, chased leaders out wide, led 2nd until before 4th, chased leader until 2 out, chased leaders, weakened between last two
went left 1st, soon steadied into mid-division, never on terms
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
raced out wide in mid-division, smooth headway out wide before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in, led towards finish
soon held up towards rear, headway out wide before 2 out, ridden and edged right between last two, lost 3rd at the last, no extra in 4th run-in
mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden between last two, went 3rd at the last, kept on run-in, not pace to challenge
always in rear, tailed off 4th, never a factor
always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard, headway chasing leaders 2nd, led before 4th, went slightly left 4 out and next, clear before last, headed and no extra towards finish
NonRunner
Mister Watson is one of the more exposed though is weighted to beat John Betjeman having finished runner-up in a maiden hurdle at Warwick. Super Six won a novice hurdle at Perth last month but finished well behind the runner-up PEKING ROSE in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree back in April. Fergal O’Brien’s charge gets the vote on his hurdling bow having also finished in front of Fine Casting at Aintree, though Shallwehaveonemore and Kandoo Kid are other bumper winners to note.
John Betjeman 50-1 (8-7) Mid-division on inside, pushed along 3f out, soon lost place and behind, tailed off, 18th of 19, 30l behind Diamil (9-9) at Goodwood 1m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Super Six 11-10fav (10-10) Chased leaders, not always fluent, went 2nd and slow 3 out, led before and jumped right 2 out, jumped right and headed last, rallied towards finish, joined lead post, won at Perth 2m (4) gs in Sep beating It's Good To Laugh (10-10), 9 ran.
Fine Casting (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Led narrowly, headed with circuit to run, led narrowly back straight, headed before home turn, led again entering home straight, ridden and soon weakened, 10th of 18, dist behind Knappers Hill (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Highstakesplayer (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, weakened 3f out, 5th of 9, dist behind Mr Glass (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (5) hvy in Dec.
Kandoo Kid (FR) 5-2 (11-5) Pressed leader, close up end of back straight, led travelling well home straight, stayed on strongly under pressure final furlong, won at Taunton 2m mdn (5) gf in Apr beating American Gerry (11-5) by 1l, 8 ran.
Mexico (GER) 5-2 (11-2) Midfield, ridden and outpaced end of back straight, ran on strongly under pressure over 1f out, led entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m (5) hvy in Feb beating Nothin To Ask (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Peking Rose 50-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway into midfield on outside back straight, ridden entering home straight, switched right and ran on over 1f out, hung left under pressure entering final furlong, ran on strongly close home, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Knappers Hill (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Truckin With Paddy (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Mid-division, slow and lost place 2nd, no impression on leaders before 3 out, plugged on, 6th of 9, 26l behind Knappers Hill (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Howzat Valtat (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Midfield, ridden and lost place turning for home, well beaten over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Sidewaysinmilan (11-2) at Warwick 2m mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Shallwehaveonemore (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Held up in last trio, smooth headway on inside over 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m mdn (5) gd in Mar beating Walking On Air (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mister Watson 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 3 out, pushed and joined turning for home, headed and ridden before last, kept on well behind comfortable winner, 2nd of 11, 5 1/2l behind Sayadam (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) sft in May.
