tracked leaders, mistake 8th, ridden 14th, outpaced 3 out, kept on flat
in rear, ridden 11th, behind when pulled up soon after 13th
held up, reminders after 10th, pulled up approaching 14th
led 2nd, blundered 6th, headed 11th, lost place 13th, behind when pulled up 3 out
close up, tracked leaders 13th, pressed leader approaching last, stayed on to lead final strides
towards rear, never a factor
held up, ridden 13th, never a factor
in touch, ridden 13th, weakened 3 out, pulled up approaching last
ran in snatches, led, headed 2nd, led again 11th, ridden 3 out, headed soon after 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, headway to track leaders 10th, chased leader 13th, pressed leader 2 out, soon led, pressed last, headed final strides
Delgany Gunner has come right back to his best with victories at Uttoxeter and Fontwell but is now on a career-high mark. Phoenix Des Mottes won over a shorter trip here last time while Cardigan Island followed up a Southwell victory with a second at Ffos Las six weeks ago, though has gone up a further 5lb since. Last month's Plumpton winner ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES looks a likely sort under Richard Johnson as he's still well treated on his form over hurdles. He gets the nod ahead of remote Market Rasen second Ifonlyalfie and winning hurdler Tin Pot Man.
Cardigan Island (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, led before 4 out, narrowly headed 3 out, led again next, over 2 lengths ahead and wandering when blundered last, soon headed, not recover, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Paradise Expected (10-10) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
The Luder (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Led 4-5 & 12-13; wknd qckly; to, 6th of 8, 17l behind Duke of Kentford (12-0) at Garthorpe 3m ptp gs.
Simply Strong (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up last, went 3rd 8th, blundered badly next, went 2nd 10th until approaching 14th, stayed in 3rd, beaten when blundered 17th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Graduation Night (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Oct, 4 ran.
Cherokee Star 3-1 (11-5) Last pair, mistake slightly hampered and left poor 4th 8th, soon struggling, tailed off, 4th of 5, 48l behind Opera Og (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy.
Tin Pot Man (IRE) 10-11fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, led approaching 8th, driven clear after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Taunton 3m am hcp hdl 0-95 (5) fm in Mar beating Rifleman (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Mr Demister 12-1 (10-5) Held up last but in touch, steady headway 4 out, chased leader next, soon challenging, stayed on well from last, driven ahead close home, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Oct beating El Diego (11-6) by nk, 6 ran.
Duke Of Stradone (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened before 8th, tailed off from 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind The Darling Boy (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf.
Phoenix Des Mottes (FR) 10-1 (10-4) Led, headed 3rd, led again 12th, ridden out, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Springfield Raki (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Absolute Shambles 2-1fav (10-0) Made all, reminders after 11th, pressed from 3 out, kept on gamely, hung right last 100 yards, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Apr beating Brunette'sonly (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Ifonlyalfie 6-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 8th, led next, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 2nd of 9, 25l behind Roi De Garde (9-7) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs.
Delgany Gunner 3-1fav (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, challenged 2 out, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs beating Gee Dee Nen (11-11) by 3l, 9 ran.
