prominent, weakened from 12th
with leader, led from 11th, kept on strongly from 3 out
tracked leaders, chased winner before 3 out, kept on and no impression
led, headed from 11th, weakened from 4 out, pulled up
held up mid-division, headway before 12th, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on
in rear and mistakes, unseated rider 10th
towards rear, effort 5 out, soon outpaced, kept on from 2 out, no impression
mid-division, weakened from 12th, pulled up
always towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on and no impression
Delusionofgrandeur is the only course and distance winner in the line-up though he only had two to beat in a novice chase in February. Bumper and hurdles winner Thumb Stone Blues has shown enough on his two starts over fences to suggest he can improve further which would put him in the frame for this. STRONGLY SUGGESTED did well to win over 3m at Warwick then just got outpaced over slightly shorter at Worcester. He wins his share and with trip and ground in his favour can return to winning ways. Cup Final's only victory over fences came in a two-horse race but he's been running in better company recently though not very well.
Milansbar (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Towards rear, reminders after 5th, weakened from 14th, tailed off 16th, pulled up, at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Delusionofgrandeur (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 7th, headed 3 out, in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Audacious Plan (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Thumb Stone Blues (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader until ridden 11th, tracked leaders, left 2nd 3 out, ridden to press winner from next, stayed on, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Sam Red (11-8) at Fakenham 3m (3) gd in Oct.
Jovial Joey (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, quickly weakened before 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out, at Carlisle 2m (2) sft in Nov.
Strongly Suggested 8-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, slow 8th, headway after 5 out, slow next and 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on well, always held, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Aunty Ann (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Tomkevi (FR) 50-1 (11-9) Held up behind, some headway when mistake 4 out, soon outpaced, mistake 2 out, kept on from last, never reached leaders, 7th of 15, 15 1/4l behind Harry The Viking (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Cup Final (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up, always in rear, struggling 11th, tailed off 3 out, 5th of 6, 35l behind Federici (11-6) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Raktiman (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In rear 2nd, weakened 4 out, jumped left next, left moderate 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 5, dist behind Actinpieces (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Total Assets 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led after 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Native Optimist (10-4) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
