held up in 5th, not fluent 3rd and next, badly hampered 7th, never on terms after, plugged on from 3 out
disputed lead, advantage before 4 out, joined next, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging gamely, still upsides last, no extra close home
held up in rear but in touch, ridden and struggling from 6th, tailed off when went right and collided with wing 3 out
tracked leading trio, dropped to last pair before 5th, ridden along next, stayed on to modest 3rd 3 out, never any chance with leading pair
raced wide, chased leading pair until before 4 out, soon outpaced, beaten when hit 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, blundered badly 7th, plugged on from 3 out, not recover
raced wide, held up in last pair, headway to track leading pair on long run to 6th, 2nd afer 4 out, challenged 3 out, narrow lead 2 out, pressed after, ridden and stayed on to assert close home
disputed lead until before 4 out, weakened before next, well behind when blunderd 3 out, pulled up before next
Nonrunner
The majority of this field are better known as chasers these days which makes this even harder to call than might normally be the case. Sangfroid is a proven hurdler but he seems to hit a flat spot in his races after travelling into contention and a record of just one win in 19 starts tells its own story. The tentative suggestion is ERNST BLOFELD who disappointed on his return but has the scope for further improvement and handles testing ground. Le Beau Bai was well beaten on his return and he may well be building up towards another tilt at the Welsh National and Synchronised may well have other targets higher up on his agenda. Superior Wisdom is considered along with the consistent Pavillon Bleu whilst Karanja retains enough ability to pick up a race like this.
Synchronised (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake and hampered 2nd, steady headway 14th, went 2nd after 20th, jumped left 4 out, led 2 out, not fluent last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar beating L'aventure (10-3) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Le Beau Bai (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, losing place when mistake 12th, driven and struggling after 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, 41l behind Ballycarney (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Oct.
Sullumo (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, lost place 8th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 15, 31l behind Mith Hill (10-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Ernst Blofeld (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Held up mid-division on outer, reminders after 5th, headway 11th, pushed along after 5 out, in 6th and one pace when refused 3 out, in a race won by King Fontaine (11-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs, 8 ran.
Karanja 15-2 (11-12) Not much room 1st, behind, pushed along 6th, struggling 9th, plugged on one pace before next, 6th of 11, 32l behind Very Cool (10-11) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May.
Sangfroid 6-1fav (10-2) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, disputed close up 3rd and every chance when fell next, in a race won by Amber Brook (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
Superior Wisdom (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, chased leaders approaching 5 out, pushed along and not fluent 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 21, 22l behind Picture This (10-7) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Pavillon Bleu (FR) 3-1fav (11-9) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon every chance, one pace when not fluent last, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Thelobstercatcher (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Kathleens Pride (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Raced wide, made all, hit 8th, not fluent 9th, joined when not fluent 3 out, driven and stayed on gamely flat, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Five Star Wilsham (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
