jumped well, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 7th, led travelling well before last, came clear run-in, easily
led and set decent pace, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no chance with easy winner, no extra in 3rd run-in
always last, weakened 4 out, tailed off when went right 2 out
chased leader, not fluent 5th, mistake next, lost 2nd 7th and pushed along, hit 3 out and weakened, tailed off and eased
raced wide tracking leading trio, went 3rd after 3 out, well held when stumbled last, kept on into 2nd run-in, no chance with easy winner
It's unusual to see such a potentially classy novice as GRUMETI making his debut over fences at this time of year and Alan King's charge should outclass these if his jumping is up to scratch. He hasn't won for two years but landed a Grade 1 over hurdles as a four-year-old and is usually campaigned at the highest level. Solaras Exhibition had decent form over timber and should also pay his way over the larger obstacles while Uttoxeter second Seventh Sky has experience on his side. He's preferred to Veloce and the mare Fairyinthewind on this occasion.
Grumeti 66-1 (11-7) Held up, closed 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, not fluent and beaten 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 32l behind The New One (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Seventh Sky (GER) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked winner, ridden after 4 out, no impression from next, eased flat, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Makari (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chase (4) gd.
Solaras Exhibition (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, weakening when mistake last, 5th of 10, 8l behind Willow's Saviour (10-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Veloce (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up, closed 3rd, ridden before 3 out, soon beaten, weakening when slightly hampered 2 out, 8th of 10, 27l behind It's A Mans World (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Fairyinthewind (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, lost 2nd at last, no extra, 4th of 5, 18l behind Queen Olivia (10-7) at Southwell 2m mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.