led, blundered and headed 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, rallied after last, kept on
with leader, ridden and weakened from 4 out
prominent, led approaching 2 out, edged right flat, driven out
mid-division, chased leaders after 5 out, outpaced from 3 out
in touch, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra
always towards rear, weakened 4th
always behind, soon struggling
chased leaders, weakened from 4 out
always behind, blundered 2nd, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
always behind, blundred 5th, tailed off, unseated rider 4 out
Nonrunner
CROCODILES ROCK can see off Astarador and Cash Man. A useful sort over hurdles, the Jonjo O'Neill charge was roughed off for the season after a lamentable run at Huntingdon in February. He has the scope to jump a fence and he can take this en route to better things. Astarador won decisively over course and distance. He has had reported training niggles but this mid 130's rated hurdler won his chasing debut in some style. Cash Man seems to revel in heavy going. He needs to improve to win this. Lease Lend looks a chasing type but he has tended to need his first run of the season so is reluctantly left alone. Palomar paid the penalty for an effortless hurdling success at Kempton and is rather forced into chasing as a consequence. Smart Street had bits and pieces of form when trained with Keith Reveley. Raysrock picked up a couple of moderate hurdles last Spring but has to be respected granted Peter Monteith's record against the bigger stables. A good race and Crocodiles Rock is our pick.
Astarador (FR) 10-11fav (11-3) Made all, drew clear from 2 out, won at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gs beating The Duke's Speech (11-3) by 9l, 9 ran.
Cash Man (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch to halfway, soon behind, 5th of 8, well behind Cool Operator (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Sept.
Crocodiles Rock (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Hold Em (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Lease Lend 18-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent 5th, led 4 out, 4 lengths ahead when fell 2 out in race won by Hopkins (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Raysrock (IRE) 5-6fav (10-10) Tracked leader, smooth headway to challenge leader approaching 3 out, led next, driven clear flat, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Apr beating Midas (10-10) by 9l, 15 ran.
Smart Street 4-1 (10-12) Always behind, struggling approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by King Daniel (10-7) at Catterick 2m nov chs (4) sft in Feb, 6 ran.
The Shy Man (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) In touch, headway 4 out, soon pushed along, stayed on to go second near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 28l behind Striking Article (11-3) at Hexham 2m beg chs (5) sft.
Torkinking (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 7th of 14, 16l behind Five Dream (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Uncle Michael 66-1 (11-0) In touch to 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Black Mogul (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft, 11 ran.
Pendle Forest (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Behind, blundered 6th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Striking Article (11-3) at Hexham 2m beg chs (5) sft, 7 ran.
Palomar (USA) 8-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, mistake 5th, jumped slowly next, mistake 3 out, not clear run and switched left approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 10th of 21, 14l behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Storm Prospect 13-2 (10-13) Mid-division, lost palce 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 20l behind Baguenaud (11-0) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Sept.
