held up, headway approaching 5th, outpaced from 7th, went 3rd after 3 out, no chance with leading pair
tracked leaders, not fluent and lost place 3rd, behind from 7th, blundered badly 3 out, tailed off
held up, blundered 4th, last and behind when mistake 6th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, jumped left at times, mistake 8th, soon lost touch with front pair, weakened and lost 3rd after 3 out, tailed off
prominent, lost place and pulled up before 5th
led until 7th, stayed 2nd, jumped right 4 out and 2 out, beaten last, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd from 3rd, led 7th, not fluent 3 out, clear last, stayed on
not always fluent in rear, behind from 7th, tailed off
Ohio Gold was third in a Listed handicap at the Cheltenham Festival in March but the fact that he is still seeking a first victory over fences after six attempts has to be something of a worry. VALDEZ won twice over hurdles last season, both times on soft ground. He's sure to have been well schooled ahead of his chasing debut and can outpace The Italian Yob, who did win over 2m1f over hurdles here last winter but gave the impression a longer trip would suit when second to Red Riverman over course and distance last month. Royal Guardsman had an entry yesterday at Huntingdon and the others will find easier opportunities in the future.
Billy Dutton 20-1 (11-1) Towards rear when fell 1st, in a race won by Annacotty (11-4) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Gingers Reflection 11-2 (12-0) (tt) trckd ldrs til lost plce 13; rallied 15; led flat; drvn out, won at Eggesford 3m ptp gf in May beating Lord Samson (12-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Key To Milan 7-1 (10-11) Made most until 7th, stayed chasing leaders, weakening quickly and towards rear when bumped 2 out, tailed off, 13th of 17, 46l behind Invicta Lake (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Ohio Gold (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Led, headed before 7th, with leader, weakened before 3 out, 3rd of 6, 36l behind Black Thunder (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
Roman Conquest 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, not fluent next, pecked 5 out, weakened and pulled up before next, in a race won by Seigneur Des Bois (10-9) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
The Italian Yob (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Led, pushed along and joined 4 out, mistake and headed 2 out, lost 2nd before last, went 2nd again flat, driven and kept on, just held, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Red Riverman (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) gs in Oct.
Valdez 12-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up, not fluent 6th, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, ridden flat, headed final 100 yards, stayed on, held by winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Whisper (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Wise Hawk 9-4fav (10-6) Tracked leaders and keen, led before 2 out, ridden after last, caught post, 2nd of 11, hd behind Windpfeil (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Royal Guardsman (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up in touch, closed 5th, led after 3 out, clear before next, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gs in Apr beating Long John (10-9) by 15l, 15 ran.
