always towards rear
with leaders, dropped into mid-division from 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
behind, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, one pace from next
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and no impression
held up in touch, headway before 3 out, one pace
held up mid-division, chased leaders before 3 out, soon led, ridden and headed last, kept on
prominent, challenged 3 out, ridden after last, kept on and held close home
held up in rear division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened after last
held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, held on close home
held up mid-division, one pace from before 2 out
in rear, effort before 3 out, never dangerous
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, tracked leaders 2nd, weakened before 3 out
This has the potential to be an informative contest. Onefortheroadtom, now with Harry Fry, looks the pick of five point-to-point winners in the line-up. Kapcorse has moved to Paul Nicholls since a fair fourth at Auteuil a year ago. Rocket Ronnie rallied to be only beaten a neck over slightly further here last time but LALOR will have all of these in trouble if he takes to jumping. Highly progressive in bumpers last season, he won a Grade 2 at Aintree in April which has already produced hurdles winners.
Alka Step (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Mid-div, 4th 1/2way, cls 2nd 4out, 5l 2nd 2out, prog disp last, kow ld run-in, won at Necarne 3m mdn gs in May beating Williamthesixth (11-11) by 1l, 6 ran.
Corbett Court (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Raced wide, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Jameson (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gd in Apr.
Gentleman Farmer 2-1jfav (12-0) Led til hdd 4 out; rallied to ld flat, won at Cothelstone 2m 4f mdn in May beating Doctor Tiger (12-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Good Man Vinnie (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up last, outpaced and no chance from 7th, 5th of 6, dist behind The Hollow Ginge (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) hvy in Oct.
Hands Of Stone (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Always last, struggling when mistake 6th, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Tempestatefloresco (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gf in Oct.
Harefield (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, in touch on inside, driven to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden kept on same pace in 4th from over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 20, 6 1/4l behind Bullionaire (10-10) at Newbury 2m (2) gs in Mar.
Hatchet Jack (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Ww rr, 5th 1/2way, gd prog 3out, bhnd ldrs bef 2out, left 2nd, kow run-in, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Ceatharlach (12-2) at Grennan 3m mdn in May.
Kapcorse (FR) (10-5) 4th of 16, 14 3/4l behind Destin D'ajonc (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Oct.
Kilbricken Storm (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Ld, mstk & hdd 4th, ld/disp frm 7th until 2nd bef 3out, 2nd bef last, clsr at last where gd jump, ld cl hme, won at Curraheen 3m mdn gd in Apr beating Abbey Street (12-2) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lalor (GER) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led going well over 2f out, ridden 1f out, edged left and went clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gd in Apr beating Enniscoffey Oscar (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Lord Duveen (IRE) Doyen gelding out of Afdala.
Midnight Magic 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Watcombe Heights (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Onefortheroadtom 3-1 (11-11) Ld/disp, 1l 2nd 1/2way, disp 5out, lost pos bef 2out, prog to jn ldr bef last, rallied well run-in, won at Oldcastle 3m mdn gd in Apr beating Newtide (11-11) by 3l, 6 ran.
Ready And Able (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 5th, no chance with leaders and lost 3rd before 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 12, dist behind Bedrock (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
Snapdragon Fire (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up behind on outside, headway 6f out, ridden and outpaced 3f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, took 4th near finish, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Simply The Betts (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gd in Sep.
Thomas Patrick (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 12, dist behind Banditry (10-12) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Winter Squaw 66-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, raced wide towards rear, some headway into mid-division before 4th, towards rear and struggling 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Rocket Ronnie (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Keen, led until narrowly headed 2 out, chased leaders, rallied gamely run-in, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Master Work (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
