made all, mistake 4 out, ridden approaching last, not fluent but ran on gamely
tracked leaders, weakened after 7th, behind when pulled up before 9th
held up, tracked winner from 8th, ridden 3 out, ran on flat, not reach winner
tracked leaders, reminders 5th, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd and weakened 3 out
held up rear, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
always in rear
Brave Villa gets the vote here ahead of Island Of Memories and Easibrook Lane. A seven-pound penalty for an emphatic Hereford win should not stop Brave Villa from running a big race today and, despite the steadier of 12st 2lbs on his back, he looks the one to beat. Island Of Memories came good at Uttoxeter last time and a five-pounds rise should not stop him from being competitive in a race that lacks strength in depth. Easibrook Jane holds solid claims on her hurdling form and, in any case, a repeat of her chasing second at Chepstow when last seen would put her on the premises. Overall, though, the vote goes to Brave Villa.
Brave Villa (FR) 8-11fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 4 out, left clear 2 out, won at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Jim Lad (10-8) by 12l, 7 ran.
Easibrook Jane 9-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 7th to track leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, always held, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Fantasmic (10-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Island of Memories (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Behind, headway 7th, ridden after last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs beating Coach Lane (11-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Castle Frome (IRE) 18-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, lost place approaching 6th, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Bayazid (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Not fluent and always behind, 12th of 20, 42l behind Nobody Tells Me (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Eyes To The Right (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) In touch, lost place after 4th, ridden next, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Heathyards Joy (10-13) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gd.