in touch, hit 10th and 13th, disputing 3rd under pressure when blundered last, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat, no impression
chased leaders, hit and lost place 10th, ridden 3 out, never on terms
keen early, held up in mid-divsion, headway when hit 3 out, chased leading pair last, soon ridden, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
disputed lead until lost place 16th, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden after last, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd inside final furlong, no impression
behind, struggling 10th, lost touch and pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, driven and outpaced 4 out, ridden last, kept on under pressure flat, never near leaders
made most to 4 out (water), lost place 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, headway and in touch 11th, chased winner when blundered 2 out, ridden and no impression flat, lost 2nd over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway and in touch 12th, went 2nd 16th, led 4 out (water), drew clear from last, comfortably
mistakes, always in rear, tailed off
Nonrunner
Recent winners Finbin and Shulmin should acquit themselves creditably but a chance is taken with LAVENOAK LAD whose stamina is not in doubt. The selection needs to be forgiven a poor run in testing ground at Perth and isn't always the most fluent at his fences but the ten year old has enjoyed a fine season, relishes this sort of test and has the form to go close is able to recapture his best. Lavenoak Lad needs to bounce back but there are no such worries about the wellbeing of Finbin and Shulmin who both carry penalties for recent wins. Finbin was handed a weak contest at Sedgefield and will find this tougher whilst Shulmin has her stamina to prove at this trip having won well here on Saturday. Hever Road is nicely handicapped and looks a live player having returned to form whilst Back In Business has also slipped to a winning mark and showed more encouraging signs last time but we're going to take a chance with Lavenoak Lad.
Lavenoak Lad 20-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, in 4th when blundered 18th, weakened next, blundered 4 out, 6th of 17, well behind Omix D'or (10-9) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Apr.
Finbin (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, hampered when left in 2nd at 5th, led 13th, strongly challenged approaching 4out, driven clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Hasper (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Pauillac (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Never traveling, chased leaders, driven after 6th, in rear from next, mistake 8th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Ballycarney (11-2) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf, 7 ran.
Gershwinner (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th, led 3 out until not much room next, beaten when blundered last, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 30l behind Volcanic Rock (11-10) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Back In Business (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, effort next, soon ridden, kept on and every chance until no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Midnight Gold (11-11) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Apr.
Saddler's Way (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leading pair, reminders 12th, hit next, chased winner 5 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 2nd last, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Its Teescomponents (11-3) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Hever Road (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, headway 11th, led 4 out, soon headed, every chance 2out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr beating Turnworth (11-3) by 1l, 11 ran.
Esme Rides A Gaine 14-1 (11-2) Led until 3rd, ridden and lost place 9th, soon towards rear, stayed on approaching last to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Panama At Once (11-0) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Stop The Show (IRE) 9-2fav (11-3) In touch, quickly weakened and dropped rear 11th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Tanners Court (11-7) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Shulmin 6-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, went 5th 8th, close 4th 10th, went 2nd 3 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd beating Emotive (11-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 5-1 (9-7) In rear, headway to moderate 3rd 3 out, left 2nd at last, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Mutual Respect (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Jimandgary (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed approaching 9th, blundered 11th, weakening when mistake 19th, pulled up before 21st, in a race won by Simply Smashing (10-12) at Hexham 4m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar, 7 ran.
