held up in touch, progress to track leaders 8th, led before bypassed last, ran on well (2 fences omitted)
chased leaders, driven to challenge after 3 out, led 2 out, headed before bypassed last, no extra
tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, soon led, headed 4th, blundered badly and well recovered 7th, mistake next, not fluent 8th and 9th, blunderd 4 out and 2 out, soon headed and weakened, modest 4th
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, weakened 2 out, modest 3rd
led until after 2nd, led again 4th, blundered and unseated rider 6th
Three of these won last time with Ardmayle, who is only five, unbeaten so far over fences and chasing a hat-trick. Turban had only two rivals when successful at Plumpton but is still thrown in on past form. OPEN HEARTED’s defeat of Swing Hard at Wetherby last month, when Gold Ingot was seventh, is probably the best form on offer and Dan Skelton’s charge could go in again if in the same mood, though Join The Clan is another starting to look well handicapped and he was going well enough when falling here last time.
Join The Clan (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Held up in 5th place, fell 12th, at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Open Hearted 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort on outside 4 out, ridden after 2 out, challenged last, stayed on to lead closing stages, won at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Swing Hard (11-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Ardmayle (IRE) 4-7fav (12-5) Tracked leaders and always going well, led on bit 3 out, clear next, went right and hit last, easily, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Touch Screen (10-3) by 6l, 5 ran.
Turban (FR) 11-10fav (11-6) Made all, mistake 3 out, shaken up before last, held on well, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Oliver's Hill (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 3 ran.
Gold Ingot 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened from 5 out, 7th of 12, dist behind Swing Hard (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
