chased leaders, joined winner 8th, lost place before 10th, outpaced from 5 out, mistake 2 out, ridden before last, no impression
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased winner last, kept on and no impression
with winner, every chance 4 out, one pace
prominent, joined winner 6 out, every chance 4 out, ridden before 3 out, one pace and blundered last
held up mid-division, headway before last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, in rear from 8th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up
made all, joined at the 8th, kept on well from last
held up towards rear, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
Whats Up Woody won this last year when he only had three rivals and this looks tougher with 6lb extra. Having won by 30 lengths over fences at Newcastle in January, Zaru was well clear when falling at the last there in March but broke a blood vessel when falling at Haydock so he may be best watched for now. Ros Castle had a decent novice season and should make progress this campaign but the assessor obviously liked what he saw of TUTCHEC when he scored here last month as he's raised him 9lb despite him making several mistakes. Nicky Richards' progressive grey can continue his progress and follow up.
Zaru (FR) 8-13fav (11-12) Led until went badly right and headed 1st, chased winner until mistake dropped to last and reminder 3rd, blundered next, almost stopped to a walk when fell next, in a race won by Eyre Apparent (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Mar, 4 ran.
Ros Castle (IRE) 11-8 (10-12) Chased winner, niggled throughout, pecked slightly 8th, reminders before 7 out, one pace, last of 2, 9l behind Grouse Lodge (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs 0-125 (4) sft in Feb.
Whats Up Woody (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Tracked winner from 2nd, ridden and lost 2nd before last, kept on, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Tahiti Pearl (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Riguez Dancer 12-1 (10-11) In touch in 4th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 7th of 8, 46l behind Grandads Horse (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Wicklow Lad 12-1 (10-9) Towards rear on outer, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Knockara Beau (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 5th, lost place 3 out, well held from next, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Morning Time (10-9) at Perth 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
Tutchec (FR) 3-1fav (11-2) Led, pecked 9 out, mistake 6 out, ridden before 2 out, clear from last, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct beating Bertie Milan (11-9) by 5l, 8 ran.
Oil Burner 9-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway 4 out, ridden to go 4th before last, one pace, 5th of 9, 27l behind Highrate (10-6) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May.