not always fluent, tracked leader, challenging when left 4 lengths clear 13th, driven 3 out, soon ridden, headed before last, no extra flat
held up, outpaced 12th, left 4 lengths down in 2nd next, rallied to challenge 2 out, led before last, ridden out flat
led until blundered badly and unseated rider 13th
Nonrunner
RAYSROCK goes well for Lucy Horner and, having shown an aptitude for chasing, he is fancied to be capable of giving weight away all round today. Bougoure and Even Flo will be dangerous to ignore and can ensure this is a good test. Even Flo successfully returned from a break at Uttoxeter last month and she appears to possess more ability over fences than she does hurdles. However, she has also been saddled with a 9lb higher mark and needs to prove her effectiveness under a career highest rating. Bougoure, on the other hand, has been cut some slack by the assessor and, as most of his recent efforts have been on ground softer than ideal; he is likely to appreciate this firmer surface. Nevertheless, Raysrock has more ticks in the right boxes and is taken as the one to be on. A fortunate winner on his penultimate start, the gelding ran well in defeat last time out. This is slightly weaker contest and is there for the taking if Raysrock can stay out of trouble again today.
Bougoure (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Always prominent, effort and every chance 2 out, soon outpaced, 3rd and no impression when mistake last, 5th of 8, 9l behind Storymaker (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Mar.
Even Flo 11-4fav (10-4) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway 10th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Incorporation (10-6) by 6l, 8 ran.
Festival King (IRE) 5-2fav (10-3) Held up mid-division, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 32l behind Percutant (11-8) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Mar.
Raysrock (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Close up, challenged and every chance 3 out, 3rd ridden and not much room when blundered 2 out, one pace last, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Gershwin (10-6) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Mitchel Henry (IRE) 5-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 10th, no impression from 3 out, 6th of 12, 49l behind Nelliedonethat (11-6) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
