held up in touch, headway approaching 15th, led on bit after 2 out, stumbled badly last, ridden and stayed on well flat
led, headed 11th, with leader left in lead 17th, stumbled badly and headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, every chance and pecked 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
with leader until 4th, gradually lost place, blundered 15th, well behind from next
jumped right virtually throughout, held up in touch, headway 17th, ridden to press winner approaching last, every chance flat, no extra close home
in touch, headway 4th, led 11th until blundered badly, and unseated rider 17th
With Ceanannas Mor probably best caught fresh and Sir Frosty better with more cut in the ground, this may be best left to Irish raider Royal County Buck, who has conditions to suit. Tony Martin's runners are always to be feared, especially when the money is down and, having proven himself on fast ground recently, the son of Good Thyne has an obvious chance off his lightweight 10st 3lb. At the other end of the handicap Sir Frosty has to be respected as the 10-year-old goes well when fresh but he would prefer a softer surface and, unless the rain falls, he is probably best left out of calculations. Nicky Henderson's Ceanannas Mor has an obvious chance at the weights but he has never won two races in succession and all three of his career wins have come on his seasonal reappearance. History suggests that a place is the best that the son of Strong Gale can hope for. Of the remainder, the novices Uncle Mick and Proper Squire remain open to improvement but face no easy task against more experienced chasers, Moral Support seems to be on the downgrade, while Rufius is 8lbs wrong at the weights. All in all, the safest option looks to be Royal County Buck for the Irish.
