close up, lost place after 9th, last when fell 12th
close up, tracked leader 10th, led 12th, made rest, hit 14th, in command 3 out, stayed on well, eased near finish
held up, headway to chase leaders, 14th, challenged for 2nd 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
in touch, ridden along 12th, effort in 4th when bumped 4 out, weakened from next
never traveling, chased leaders, driven after 6th, in rear from next, mistake 8th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 14th
mostly chased leader, outpaced and dropped in rear 14th, rallied before 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
made most until 12th, mainly chased winner after, ridden 4 out, lost 2nd 2 out, one pace
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Strong Coffee is well-handicapped if back on song after a break however a safer option is SKIPPER'S LAD now back on quicker ground and he is preferred to Terrible Tenant. Colin Tizzard's gelding was in good form last year, winning at Stratford and finishing placed at both Wincanton and Ascot. He is still fairly handicapped on this return to action and the eight-year-old looks sure to have a profitable summer spell of jumping. Dusty Dane has been out of form in plating hurdle contests and now reverts to fences, Paulliac has the ability but so far his record is one of disappointment so despite looking well-handicapped he is passed over, as is River Indus despite Bob Buckler's gelding having a good course record. Terrible Tenant was well-held in a three-horse-race last time but he is now just 1lb above his last winning mark, the drop in trip will suit both Bernard and Aces Or Better, whilst Ballycarney's third to High Jack was a step in the right direction. A tricky handicap for punters but our faith is placed in Skipper's Lad.
Strong Coffee 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 6th, behind 12th, hit 14th, pulled up before 17th, in a race won by Any Currency (11-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Ballycarney (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, hard driven 4 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind High Jack (10-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place 15th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Fine By Me (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 7th and ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd next, stayed on same pace, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 14, 17l behind Shore Thing (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f clm hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Pauillac (FR) 10-3 (11-6) Not keen and ridden along in last, behind 7th, went remote 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 4, 36l behind Prince Des Marais (11-6) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
River Indus 13-2fav (9-8) Mid-division, lost place and behind from 12th, 10th of 13, well behind Gentle Ranger (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Terrible Tenant 9-2 (10-2) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 3, 12l behind Triggernometry (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Aces Or Better (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chasded leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 9, 34l behind Over The Creek (11-8) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Bernard 9-1 (10-4) In rear, reminder 4th, blundered 9th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Over The Creek (11-8) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
