midfield, ridden before 4 out where in touch with leader, kept on same pace 3 out, outpaced by leading pair approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
never travelling in rear, detached when mistake 11th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, ridden before 4 out where slightly hampered by loose horse, soon outpaced, tailed off before last
prominent, not fluent 9th, mistake 10th, ridden and outpaced before 4 out, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
midfield, ridden and in touch with leading group before 4 out, kept on same pace 3 out, no impression 2 out, stayed into 4th before last, no further impression run-in
led, a length ahead 4 out, soon ridden, maintained advantage 2 out, soon pressed for lead, disputed lead approaching last, soon headed, kept on run-in, held near finish
held up in rear, smooth headway to chase leader before 4 out, soon ridden, mistake 3 out, a length down 2 out, kept on approaching last where disputed lead, soon led outright, kept on well run-in
prominent, ridden and briefly chased leader before 4 out, soon outpaced, no impression 2 out, weakened before last
prominent, travelling okay when mistake and unseated rider 11th
Kilbeg King was a well beaten third on his chasing bow while Jerrash never figured over fences last time though represents last year’s winning yard. Moriko De Vassy placed at Wetherby last year but MANORBANK finished third at Ffos Las on his first start over the larger obstacles and may prove the one to side with. Amrons Sage is preferred to stablemate Issuing Authority and Bumpy Johnson of those making their chasing debuts.
Kilbeg King (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 20 1/4l behind Iroko (11-2) at Warwick 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Jerrash 5-2 (11-10) Always in rear, not fluent throughout, last of 4, 23 1/2l behind Farouk De Cheneau (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
Bumpy Johnson (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Midfield, headway to challenge before 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Stans The Man (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Manorbank (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on outer, settled towards rear 4th, headway into 2nd 3 out, soon well held by leader, plugged on, lost remote 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Matata (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Issuing Authority (IRE) 13-8 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Theatre Man (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gs in Mar.
Amrons Sage (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Led until 3rd, prominent, ridden and every chance after 3 out, 3rd and held from last, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Thanksforthehelp (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gs in Apr.
Moriko De Vassy (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Rear mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened next, never involved, 7th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Nemean Lion (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Hermes Du Gouet (FR) 17-2 (11-10) Held up, dropped to rear 6th, struggling from 3 out, very modest headway over final two flights up home straight, 7th of 13, 26 1/2l behind Buckhorn Rocco (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
I Shut That D'or (FR) 16-5 (11-12) Midfield, dropped to rear but in touch before 7th, ridden and headway into 2nd before 3 out, chased leader in vain 2 out, soon weakened into 3rd, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 4, 26l behind Le Patron (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
