soon prominent, went 2nd 3 out, mistake next, soon ridden, challenged approaching last, stayed on under strong pressure to lead close home
in touch, ridden and weakened quickly after 3 out
tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, pushed along approaching last, stayed on flat, headed close home
prominent, mistake 2nd and 3rd, ridden and lost place 7th, behind when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
soon behind, tailed off from 7th
held up, ridden 8th, weakened after next, well behind when mistake 2 out
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly approaching next
An interesting finale to the day's proceedings with Ad Hoc taking a step up in class a she continues his career over hurdles. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding looked to be going well when coming to grief in the Martell Grand National in April and the Aintree marathon will again be the target for the eight-year-old this term. However, he has equipped himself well over timber this term gaining a facile success at Ascot last month when beating some useful types. This looks tougher but the son of Strong Gale may have too much class and is the TEAMtalk selection. The main danger could be the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Iris's Gift, who has progressed well from bumper company into a useful novice with wins at Bangor and Cheltenham. Lords Best has more to do than when winning at Kempton and Wincanton, as does Priests Bridge, who beat little at Uttoxeter.
