in rear, hampered 5th, struggling in rear when blundered 3 out, tailed off
blundered 1st, well in rear, hampered 5th, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd on outside approaching last, no chance with front pair
mid-division until blundered and lost place 3rd, behind when blundered and fell 5th
close up, tracked leader 4 out, challenged from 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well and in command towards finish
led, hit 4th, joined when slightly hampered by loose horse 2 out, kept narrow advantage, headed approaching last, kept on flat
chased leading pair until jumped right and weakened 5 out, tailed off
chased leader, weakened soon after 4 out, struggling when blundered next, tailed off
towards rear when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
close up until lost place 5th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up in touch, headway into 3rd 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
FIX THE RIB is the selection in an open affair where fitness has to be taken on trust, with Master Medic and Lord Henry others to note. The last named has come down the handicap after a losing run but he has a touch of class and always seems to go well here. The ground will suit and his trainer had a winner on Wednesday so the yard may be about to run into form. Master Medic has not been since December when he completed a hat-trick in spectacular fashion over this course and distance. His absence since then may hinder his progress here-he needed a run last season before hitting winning form. Fix the Rib has a similar profile, having completed a four timer last season, and made terrific progress. He too has had a lay off, albeit not quite as long, but his handler has had a good recent strike rate on the Flat, and Fix the Rib may prove too strong for the others.
Oslot (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Struggling 10th, always in rear, hit 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Atouchbetweenacara (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Lord Henry (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Led, ridden 4 out, headed and blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 17l behind Pepsyrock (10-4) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Medicinal (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 23l behind Katies Tuitor (11-8) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gf.
Master Medic (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) In touch, hit 9th, ridden and headway when hit 2 out, led last, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec beating Oneway (11-2) by 3l, 13 ran.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 5-6fav (10-5) Made all, shaken up after 4 out, ran on well, readily, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) gd in Feb beating Free World (11-12) by 8l, 4 ran.
Psychomodo 10-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, slight mistake 3rd, went left 4th, led 5 out, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Jayo (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov stks sft in Apr, 9 ran.
Muhtenbar 4-1 (11-8) Led until 11th, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 8, 29l behind Au Courant (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f nov stks (3) gd in Apr.
Oneway (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 29, 44l behind Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Nikola (FR) 20-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, outpaced by winner after 4 out, hit 2 out, lost 2nd and weakening when hit last, 4th of 9, 37l behind Atouchbetweenacara (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Royal Wedding 7-1 (11-5) Always travelling well tracking leaders, led 3 out, soon clear easily, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Ice Bucket (11-10) by 13l, 10 ran.
