soon in mid-division, closed 9th, went 2nd after next, not fluent last, edged right 150 yards out, just pulled out enough towards finish
prominent, 4th and pushed along when fell 9th
led 1st until after next, led 3rd, took wrong course (missed out fence) and pulled up next
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden before 9th, weakened after last, tailed off
mid-division, mistake and last 9th, effort 2 out, no impression, weakened after last
led until 1st, led after next until 3rd, left in lead 4th, mistake last, headed before home bend, every chance 150 yards, held towards finish
mid-division, mistake 2nd, not flouent 8th, headway before next, pecked 2 out, weakened after last, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place from 1st, hampered 9th, headway 2 out, went 3rd after last, stayed on final 150 yards, closing on front pair close home, unable to challenge
in rear, not fluent 7th (water), mistake and struggling next, tailed off before 9th, soon pulled up
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A good hunter chase in which SPECIAL PORTRAIT sets the standard despite an uncharacteristic unseating early on last time when slightly hampered. An excellent second at Cheltenham the time before over a marathon trip, he will not be inconvenienced by this trip in softening conditions and seems certain to go well. Digg Whitaker is an interesting opponent, having returned from a lengthy absence to post a series of gradually progressive efforts. Always controlling a Kelso hunter chase when outpointing Backstruther last time, there could well be room for further progress and he looks the main danger. Impact Zone and Benefit Night should run their races along with consistent mare Barachois Silver.
Special Portrait (IRE) 8-13fav (11-13) Held up, hampered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Back On The Road (11-13) at Perth 3m hts chs (6) gd, 9 ran.
Digg Whitaker 11-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 11th, soon headed, led again 13th, ridden before 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 3m 2f nov hts chs (5) gd in Apr beating Buckstruther (11-11) by 7l, 8 ran.
Benefit Night (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Made most until headed 14th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 36l behind That's Rhythm (12-1) at Bangor 3m hts chs (6) gd.
Cool Mission (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Disputed lead until driven after 15th, weakened from 2 out, last of 4, 39l behind What A Laugh (12-1) at Aintree 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd.
Fiftyfive Degrees (IRE) 5-4 (12-0) Made most til hdd last; no ex flat, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Sotovik (12-7) at Cumberland 3m ptp sft.
Go West (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, towards rear 4th, weakened before 7 out, 7th of 11, 26l behind Drom (11-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hts chs (4) gf.
Howareyougoingon (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) (cp) hdwy 15; led aft 3 out; all out, won at North West Point-to-Point 3m ptp gd beating Oh Toodles (12-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Barachois Silver 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders early, mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on before last, 3rd of 15, 31l behind Show Public (11-9) at Hexham 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd.
Tastes Like More (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) (cp) hdwy 11; led 15 til hdd nxt; led app last; drvn out, won at North Shropshire 3m ptp gf beating Whistling Straits (12-3) by 2l, 7 ran.
Impact Zone 8-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led after 9th until after 12th, chased leader until 14th, stayed in 3rd place, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace, went 2nd again flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Penmore Mill (11-13) at Southwell 3m hts chs (6) gd.
Kiestown Chief (IRE) 9-1 (12-3) Prom til outpcd 15, 4th of 7, 11l behind Time Gentlemen (12-6) at North West Point-to-Point 3m ptp gd.
Medic (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) (cp) led til hdd 12; no ex 3 out, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Alpha Native (12-0) at Kimblewick 3m ptp gd.
The Tinkerater (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Cl 2nd til led 7; hdd 15; sn outpcd, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Leedfka (11-7) at Pendle Forest 3m ptp gd.