mid-division, headway 8th, led briefly approaching 4 out, soon ridden, no extra from approaching last
prominent, led 2nd to 3rd, hampered 4th, badly hampered and lost place 5th, mistake next, soon behind
chased leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed 4 out, rallied and went 2nd approaching last, kept on flat
prominent, fell 4th
towards rear, headway after 8th, no chance from 4 out
mid-division, chased leader 6th, joint leader 8th, led 4 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from 2 out
led to 2nd, blundered and unseated rider 4th
pulled early and held up, ridden and lost touch 8th, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
Captain Marlon was good value for his win at Chepstow earlier this month and an 8lb rise for that success may not prevent Colin Tizzard's gelding from following up so he gets the vote to do just that ahead of Shanahan and Livingonaknifedge. The last mentioned got no further than the third when last seen in a decent handicap hurdle race at Aintree's National meeting, looks well treated for his return to chasing and has to be respected but lack of a recent run is of concern. David Pipe's Figaro du Rocher has given little sign of encouragement in two starts this term and of more interest may be Jarro, especially now that Venetia Williams has her team among the winners. Shanahan has run to a respectable level of form in each start this term and should be thereabouts again but Captain Marlon has solid claims and is taken to follow up that Chepstow success.
Allumee 20-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden and headway 8th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Forest Green (10-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 13 ran.
Figaro du Rocher (FR) 25-1 (10-5) Lost touch 4th, always behind, 8th of 10, 49l behind The Wicketkeeper (10-10) at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gf.
Jarro (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden when fell at the 10th in race won by Free Gift (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Oct, 9 ran.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, hit 7th and 8th, travelling well and led 3 out, in command when hit last, pushed out, won at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Pop Ahead (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Shanahan (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up and behind, mistake 4 out, headway 2 out, ridden approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Albertas Run (11-3) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, led approaching 8th, headed and weakened quickly before brought down 2 out in race won by Albertas Run (10-4) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 21 ran.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leader, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 4th of 6, 20l behind O'Toole (11-10) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Kova Hall (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up, headway approaching 5th, weakening when blundered 3 out, 6th of 8, 24l behind Albarino (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Waterspray (AUS) 8-1 (11-9) Led, headed 3rd until 6th, ridden after 5 out, narrowly headed when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Captain Marlon (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 9 ran.
