prominent and led, joined and ridden after 2 out, every chance at final fence, outpaced and kept on close home
held up, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, kept on at 2 out, made no impression
prominent and joined leader before 2 out, every chance at final fence, weakened close home
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced at 2 out, rallied and ran on well after final fence, just denied
held up, travelled strongly and made headway at 3 out, joined leaders at 2 out, led after final fence, idled close home and held on
prominent, outpaced after 3 out, weakened at 2 out, made no impression
A nice prize has brought out a strong field in which MINELLA DRAMA (NAP) may be good enough. Three-times a winner over hurdles and placed at Grade 1 level, he made an impressive chasing bow at Uttoxeter and receives weight from three of his rivals. War Lord made a convincing start over fences at Newton Abbot and also has the weights in his favour. Cheddleton had two easy victories, including here, before finding Grade 2 company way beyond him at Warwick while Elvis Mail was beaten in a three-horse race here before falling when beaten in the Grade 1 Maghull at Aintree, a race in which Gumball finished a well-beaten third. The latter won on the Flat at York a month ago and looks the main threat.
Cheddleton 5-1 (11-0) Raced in 3rd, hit 7th, lost touch and ridden 8th, kept on but no chance with leading suo, 3rd of 4, dist behind Allmankind (11-3) at Warwick 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Elvis Mail (FR) 18-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair on outside, hit 3 out, 7 lengths 4th and pushed along when fell 2 out, at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Gumball (FR) 9-4fav (9-7) Made virtually all, 3 lengths clear over 1f out, driven and reduced lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at York 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Buriram (9-4) by hd, 10 ran.
Minella Drama (IRE) 11-10fav (11-8) Jumped right, led before 2nd, clear 3 out, mistake and stumbled 2 out, swished tail flat, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Magic Dancer (10-11) by 8 1/2l, 5 ran.
War Lord (GER) 9-2 (11-8) Held up in last in touch, headway to press leaders 3 out, ridden and led after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Witness Protection (11-2) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Champagnesuperover (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) In rear, ridden along 2nd circuit, never involved, pulled up, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
