behind, under pressure 5 out, never a factor
held up towards rear, not fluent 9th, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, kept on well flat, took 3rd near finish
in rear, blundered badly and rider lost irons briefly 2nd, ridden and struggling 5 out, never in contention
led, ridden and headed 3 out, stayed well there until driven and weakened between last 2, beaten when went left last
close up on inside, ridden after 3 out, one pace approaching 2 out, no extra flat
blundered 1st, in rear, steady headway from 5 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on into 2nd and jumped left last, no impression and lost 2 places run-in
mid-division, dropped to rear 14th, struggling after, tailed off
behind when fell 3rd
chased leader, blundered 9th, lost 2nd 4 out, outpaced from next, rallied approaching last, kept on well run-in to take 2nd final 100 yards
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened from last
blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 14th, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch on outside, weakened and behind from 5 out, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway and pushed along to chase leaders after 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, clear last, driven out
in rear, not fluent 12th, ridden and struggling 4 out
close up until ridden and weakened soon after 4 out
Nonrunner
SHINING GALE is taken to make a winning seasonal reappearance and claim this lucrative contest, with Just Amazing and Seven Is My Number best of the rest. Always Waining was leading when coming a cropper at the second from home at Cheltenham earlier this month and he may be well treated, though his level of form is below that of the principals. Gone To Lunch perhaps needs further and more testing conditions to be seen to best effect, and he also needs a few races to get to peak fitness. Seven Is My Number has compiled a hat-trick and has won six of his 13 starts to date. However, he looks a very tricky ride and is opposed. Just Amazing has made remarkable progress and he is only 2lb higher for a facile win at Cheltenham recently. However, he is taking on a classy individual in Shining Gale, winner of three of his six starts over fences, who makes his handicap bow here, and he finished off last season with a fine second in the Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree and won on his first run last season. Shining Gale has ground and trip to suit and can make a winning return.
Gone To Lunch (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, headway to 2nd after 4th, dropped to 4th 9th, mistake and ridden 3 out, stayed on under pressure straight, 3rd and mistake last, kept on run-in to 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Rare Bob (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs G1 sft in Apr.
Shining Gale (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Prominent, raced keenly, left in lead 6th, headed when not fluent 8th, ridden when jumped right 2 out, soon switched left and went 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Killyglen (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, fell 18th, in a race won by Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Hello Bud (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Made virtually all, ridden from 2 out and kept on well, won at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr beating Gone To Lunch (11-10) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Just Amazing (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Raced enthusiastically, made all, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m nov stks (2) gf beating Diablo (11-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Seven Is My Number (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up, raced keenly, went 3rd 5th, closed to go 2nd 4 out, took narrow lead before 2 out, ridden approaching last, just prevailed in driving finish, won at Bangor 2m 4f noc chs (3) gd beating Khachaturian (11-2) by shd, 5 ran.
Always Waining (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, led 4 out, 2 lengths ahead when slithered on landing and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Nelson's Spice (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m hcp ch 0-150 (2) gf, 6 ran.
Boychuk (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Led to 2nd, led 4th to 4 out, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied before last, soon no impression, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Nelson's Spice (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m hcp ch 0-150 (2) gf.
Aimigayle 12-1 (10-11) Always prominent, not fluent 7th or 9th, strong challenge from 2f out, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 5l behind Templer (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gf.
Hold Em (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, jumped slowly 8th (water), headway approaching 4 out, stayed on under pressure flat, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Poquelin (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf.
Hopkins (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Prominent, not fluent 7th, ridden 12th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 4f out, in a race won by Shining Gale (11-8) at Warwick 3m nov stks (3) gd in Mar, 6 ran.
Mr Robert (IRE) 11-4 (12-2) Held up, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Quivvy Bridge (11-5) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 5 out, weakened from next, 6th of 7, 33l behind Auroras Encore (11-8) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
The Last Derby (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 2nd, slight mistake 5 out and next, challenged under pressure and disputed lead 2 out, soon headed and no impression, dropped to 4th and no extra last, 4th of 6, 12l behind Archie Boy (11-8) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs gf.
Poker De Sivola (FR) 5-2 (11-12) In rear, ridden approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind More Likely (11-4) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Martha's Kinsman (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, reminders and dropped rear after 14th, hampered 16th, lost touch 18th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Chiaro (11-12) at Hereford 3m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Best Actor (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, took closer order 7th, lost place from 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Lysander (9-13) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd, 9 ran.
