held up, mistake 5th, lost touch 9th
with leader, led 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed and demoted to 3rd approaching last, stayed on again flat to take 2nd, not trouble winner
prominent, driven along from 4 out, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, 4th when blundered 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat
held up towards rear, progress 8th, travelling well and went 2nd 3 out, led last, ran on well
mid-division, mistake 6th (water) headway next, led briefly approaching last, weakened and lost 3 places final 100yards
held up, headway 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on from last, no danger
held up, lost touch after 8th
Armaturk can post another course-and-distance success, with Rubberdubber, Nyrche and Tysou others worth a mention. Armaturk beat Well Chief in this event in 2004, and was subsequently successful in a couple of decent contests at Lingfield. He was clearly the stable's second string on his return at Aintree 19 days ago, helping to make the running until easily brushed aside by Kauto Star. However, he will improve for the run, and certainly has the beating of Nyrche who was back in fourth that day. A bigger danger may well therefore be Rubberdubber, a progressive novice last term, with two wins at Newbury under his belt. Charlie Egerton is sure to have him ready and fit, and with Tony McCoy on board, he should give a good account. Tysou finished third to the selection in this two years ago, and his fitness will have to be taken on trust, as will that of Oneway. Things did not go right for him last season, but Mark Rimell is optimistic that he can pay to follow. Topweight is a negative though, and neither of David Pipe's runners make much appeal. Indeed, Locksmith was put firmly in his place by Impek in a dramatic race at Exeter recently, and will need to improve. All in all, Armaturk has the best credentials and should be supported.
Oneway (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Held up, in touch when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Newmill (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Armaturk (FR) 13-2 (11-1) With leader, led approaching 6th, hit 12th, headed after 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 5, 21l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Nyrche (FR) 5-2 (10-10) Led, headed approaching 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Tysou (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, struggling when hampered 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jacks Craic (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Locksmith 16-1 (10-4) Led until 3rd, chased leaders until lost place 6th, no danger after, 4th of 9, 31l behind Impek (11-10) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Rubberdubber 2-1jt-fav (11-12) In touch, 6th halfway, headway 4 out, 2nd and ridden to challenge after next, every chance when fell at the last in race won by Tigerlion (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 14-1 (10-5) Towards rear brought down at the 6th in race won by Jacks Craic (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Medison (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, not fluent 7th, ridden 3 out, chased winner from last, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Misty Dancer (10-5) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Mar.
Dubai Bound (USA) 9-2 (11-12) Raced in 2nd, dropped to 3rd 3 out, ridden to go 2nd again from next and led approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Tipperary 2m 1f chs frm in Jul beating Kahuna (11-12) by 2l, 4 ran.
