always in rear, struggling 6th, tailed off
close up in chasing group, went modest 3rd between last 2, no chance with leading duo
held up off the pace in last pair, struggling and no chance when went badly left final 3
prominent in chasing group, closer 6th, led 4 out, ridden before 2 out, edged left approaching and hit last, joined when hung badly left run-in, just held on, all out, unseated rider after line
led to post and led in start, jumped left, raced keenly, led and clear 3rd until reduced lead 6th, headed when mistake 4 out, chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, no extra in 4th between last 2
led chasing group, closer 6th, pushed along before 4 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leaders, ridden and no extra between last 2,
close up in chasing group, headway into 2nd travelling well approaching 3 out, challenged last, ran on under pressure as leader hung badly left run-in, just failed
raced keenly, close up in chasing group, ridden and weakened quickly before 4 out, tailed off
Nonrunner
ACT FOUR scored at Warwick last month and went in again over course and distance last time. He’s preferred to Chevalgris, who is upped a grade after finishing second at Ffos Las. Brave Helios is not badly treated and may finish closer back on fast ground today but Taroum only won a selling hurdle at Fakenham in November and was well beaten over fences last time. Old Magic finished a bit closer in a seller here recently but this is tougher.
Brave Helios 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, mistake 3 out, well beaten when bumped 2 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Classic Tune (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Ruler Of The Nile 5-1 (9-3) Held up tracking leaders, headway into 2nd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Bracken Brae (9-4) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Act Four (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear, smooth headway tracking leaders after 7th, went 2nd and closed approaching the last, ridden and stayed on to lead final 75 yards, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Bletchley Castle (12-8) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Redbridge Miller (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway on outside 6th, not fluent and lost place next, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out, at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Ashkoun (FR) 4-1fav (11-8) Led, headed and ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May.
Taroum (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Chased leader until before 6th, chased leaders and reminders soon after, weakened quickly, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Double Treasure (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Chevalgris 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Prince Mahler (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Old Magic (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, led or disputed lead, soon clear of rest, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression before last, 5th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Karl Marx (10-9) at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Barney Rubble 7-2 (12-0) Prom til fell 12, at Howick 3m gs in Mar.