chased leaders, weakened after 8th, pulled up before 10th
always behind, struggling from 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway to chase winner approaching 3 out until after 2 out, in 3rd and weakening when blundered last
held up, headway 8th, hit next, mistake 4 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression
chased leader, led 8th, headed next, weakened approaching 11th, pulled up after 3 out
always prominent, led 10th, clear approaching 2 out, eased towards finish
held up mid-division, weakened 8th, blundered 4 out, pulled up after next
held up, reminders 7th, weakened from11th
held up, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
led, headed 8th, led again 9th, headed and jumped right 10th, soon weakened, jumped right 3 out, soon pulled up
The Sue Smith-trained Oso Magic is a bold jumper that will be suite by the conditions and can get the better of The Extra Man and Ojays Alibi, while Xaipete is not showing any signs of losing his enthusiasm and can make it a good test for the places. Ojays Alibi was not winning out of turn when he scored at Newton Abbot last month and is entitled to respect, as he come here in obvious good heart. However, like The Extra Man, he will struggle to give weight away to the selection now that he has proved himself to be back to something like his best. Oso Magic has been crying out for another crack at this sort of trip and, with little to fear from the ground or a handful of the rest, the seven-year-old can do his bit to enhance the record of summer jumpers from his yard. Sue Smith usually has her string primed for this time of year and, with the likelihood of a fair price being available about Oso Magic, her team look the one to follow in a modest contest like this.
The Extra Man (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Chased leader, led after 5th to 7th, led approaching 5 out to last, headed, rallied to lead again flat, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Apr beating Phar City (10-10) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Ojays Alibi (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway and went 2nd 12th, ridden and not fluent 3 out, led last, driven out flat, won at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Apr beating Andy's Lad (9-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Oso Magic Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leader, headway approaching 8th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Moment of Madness (10-13) at Catterick 2m nov chs (E) gs in Feb.
Xaipete (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Towards rear, pushed along 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, effort last, took 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Little Flora (9-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Apr.
Fearless Mel (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Jumped slowly 3rd, always towards rear, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Maxie McDonald (11-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd, 13 ran.
Idealko (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Prominent to 7th, soon behind, 10th of 14, well behind Brigadier Benson (11-3) at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Apr.
Stone Cold 4-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden after 8th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Mandica (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Apr, 8 ran.
Heartache 10-3 (10-4) Tracked leaders, led 5th, jumped right from 4 out, hard ridden after 2 out, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (F) hvy in Apr beating Borehill Joker (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
