towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden before last, kept on run-in
tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, headway before 2 out, led run-in, ran on well
close up, not fluent last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden before last, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led before last, headed run-in, kept on, no impression on winner
held up mid-division, headway on inner 3 out, ridden run-in, weakened final 100 yards
tracked leader, not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened after next
led, headed before and blundered badly last when weakening
EDGARDO SOL alternates between hurdles and fences but has solid form in both disciplines, running away with a competitive handicap chase at Aintree nine days ago. He's only a pound higher back over the smaller obstacles and should take all the beating if in the same mood. Jason Maguire has chosen Red Merlin over stablemate Desert Cry after he made a winning reappearance at Newcastle. He's worth a try in this better grade while Tetlami is interesting on his handicap debut and is less exposed than the other Henderson runner, Petit Robin. Charm School's two wins have come in novice company and he's shot up in the weights since scoring at Newbury but Evan Williams' seven-year-old, formerly a decent sort on the Flat, is clearly in good heart and makes more appeal than Clerk's Choice and Raya Star.
Clerk's Choice (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, lost place 5th, no danger after, 17th of 26, 18l behind Alderwood (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Petit Robin (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Led until after 1st, tracked leader, hit 2nd, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed soon after last, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Dream Esteem (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Mar.
Edgardo Sol (FR) 9-2fav (11-0) Held up in touch on outside, smooth headway 4 out, went 2nd next, led 2 out, 10 lengths clear last, easily, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs beating Astracad (11-2) by 14l, 13 ran.
Raya Star (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway under pressure on outside 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last, 13th of 26, 15l behind Alderwood (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Tetlami (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, no impression, 9th of 19, 12l behind Cinders And Ashes (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Desert Cry (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) In rear, outpaced after 3 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, never nearer, 9th of 26, 11l behind Alderwood (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Local Hero (GER) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced after 2 out, weakened last, 11th of 26, 13l behind Alderwood (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Red Merlin (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Led, not fluent and ridden after last, soon edged right, hard pressed flat, found extra near finish, gamely, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Arctic Court (11-10) by ns, 9 ran.
Megastar 22-1 (10-7) Mid-division on inside, ridden 6th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, 21st of 28, well behind Son Of Flicka (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Charm School 13-8fav (11-7) Chased leader, led approaching 3 out, headed well before next, chased leader, driven and hung left before 2 out, rallied before last, soon upsides, driven to lead 1f out, stayed on strongly to go clear final 110 yards, won at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar beating Double Handful (11-9) by 5l, 11 ran.
