held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 12th
held up in rear, some headway 3 out, went moderate 3rd next, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, led 14th, challenged approaching last, stayed on well
with leader, not fluent 5 out, weakening when fell next
held up in touch, headway 11th, chased leader 5 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra closing stages
led until 14th, weakened quickly, moderate 4th
Eleazar's likely absence could have left the door open for LORIKARAD to double his tally under Rules. A winner five times between the flags, the eight-year-old showed a willing attitude to get home in front at Towcester last month. Winterwood should like the ground but was disappointing at Alnwick last time while Rathcor isn't easy to catch right, though did nothing wrong at Thorpe Lodge last month. What A Scientist isn't the force of old and the others may need this after a break.
Lorikarad (FR) 11-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, swept through to lead before next, jumped right last, all out, won at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft in Jan beating Mister Teddy (11-7) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Plenty Of Chat (IRE) 5-2 (12-5) Held up; chsd wnr 3 out; no imp, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Sea Senor (12-5) at Garthorpe 3m ptp gf in May.
Winterwood (IRE) 5-2 (12-5) Held up; gd prog 15; ev ch app 3 out; sn wknd, 4th of 13, 29l behind Top Dressing (12-5) at Alnwick 3m ptp gs in Jan.
Little Rocker (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Towards rear, blundered 10th, driven afer 16th, behind and no chance when hampered 3 out, 8th of 14, 10l behind Southwestern (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gd in May.
Rathcor 3-1 (11-0) Stdy hdwy 15; led last; ro wl, won at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Swift Counsel (11-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
What A Scientist (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Led until 1st, tracked leaders, mistakes 8th and 13th, ridden 13th, well held 3 out, 5th of 12, 40l behind Monkerty Tunkerty (11-5) at Warwick 3m hts chs (6) gs in Jan.
Eleazar (GER) 6-4 (12-1) Tracked leader, chased winner 11th, ridden 3 out, plugged on same pace, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Barbers Shop (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gs.