Dineur was last seen winning the Foxhunters’ at Aintree in 2017 but has run well after a lay-off in the past, though is now a teenager as is the once-useful Eastlake. Fitness could be an issue for the majority of these, who are making their seasonal reappearances, and Village Vic looked a spent force when last seen. Little Jon was tailed off at Ludlow last month but this shorter distance will be much more to his liking and he should be thereabouts. BARRAKILLA won this last year on his return to action and gets on well with Zac Baker so a repeat may be on the cards.
Champagne West (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 5th, no impression in moderate 5th from 3 out, never a factor, 5th of 8, dist behind Ballyoisin (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f gd in Jun.
Dineur (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Led to 2nd, close up, ridden before last, led before elbow, held on well, won at Aintree 2m 5f (2) gs in Apr beating Balnaslow (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 28 ran.
Full Trottle (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Always prominent, led 6 out, headed after 3 out, one pace next, rallied last, stayed on to chase winner flat, no extra and held inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 19, 6l behind Mr Mercurial (12-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in May.
Barrakilla (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, blundered 5 out, ridden in 4th before last, kept on run-in, 4th of 21, 10 1/2l behind Balnaslow (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Rouge Et Blanc (FR) 66-1 (12-0) In touch on outer, lost place after 3rd, blundered 7th, rider lost iron, pulled up before next, at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Brave Jaq (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Led, clear 3 out, reduced lead last, headed close home, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Robin Des People (11-10) at Stratford 2m 1f (5) gd in Jun.
Drive The Bus (IRE) 150-1 (11-10) Behind, hampered 3rd, tailed off 9th 3 out, fell next, at Stratford 2m 1f (5) gd in Jun.
Eastlake (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, outpaced normal 4 out, well beaten after, 7th of 8, 22 1/2l behind Cobra De Mai (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Little Jon 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 13th until 15th, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 12, dist behind Road To Rome (12-2) at Ludlow 3m (4) gd in Jan.
Village Vic (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Hampered 1st, towards rear, headway and in touch 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
