tracked leading pair, went 2nd soon after 4 out, led on inside 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression before last
pulled hard, held up last, struggling in poor 5th after 4 out, tailed off
tracked leader, led soon after 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, lost 2nd before next, 3rd and one pace after
led, not fluent 4th, headed when slightly hampered 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, headway to track leading pair after 4 out, led 2 out, 2 lengths clear when not fluent last, stayed on well flat
held up in 6th, not fluent 4th, pushed along next, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up
chased leading trio, reminders 4th, weakened 3 out
PRAXITELES is the call with Ask Archer and Old McDonald respected as dangers. Tony McCoy is aboard the 128-rated gelding and he arrives here in good order having dotted up in a recent contest at Aintree where he obliged by an easy ten lengths. Evan Williams is typically mob handed and his Ask Archer is interesting. He was placed at Stratford on his second start over hurdles and gave the impression that the experience would not be lost upon him. Old McDonald was fourth in the Champion bumper at Punchestown. He's had plenty of experience in that sphere and is now asked to make his way over obstacles. Totoman has a bit to find on official figures while Majd Aljazeera is a well bred type who did not make the grade on the flat when trained by David Simcock. Wilbury Star has been a bitter disappointment over hurdles given that he was a winner on the flat for Richard Hannon off a mark of 70. Rebecca Curtis and Tony McCoy have been a combination to follow and Praxiteles can go in again.
Praxiteles (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Aintree 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Heron Bay (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Ask Archer 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd after last, never nearer, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Battle Group (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Old McDonald 6-1 (11-8) Raced well off pace towards rear, good progress 3f out, led 2f out, soon narrowly headed, kept on well final furlong without matching 1st 2, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Shop Dj (11-1) at Curragh 2m N H flat in May.
Trew Style 50-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, prominent, led 2nd until 3rd, not fluent 6th, no impression and beaten approaching 3 out, fell last, in a race won by Ajman (10-9) at Ludlow 2m cond sll hdl (5) gd in May, 10 ran.
U B Carefull 10-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, driven and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Hellfire Club (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Majd Aljazeera 50-1 (8-2) Led for a furlong, chased leaders until weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 19l behind Slick Mover (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan (flat).
Wilbury Star (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, weakened approaching next, tailed off, 7th of 8, 43l behind Praxiteles (10-12) at Aintree 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Totoman 5-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, left 2nd at 4th, ridden to challenge before 2 out, no extra before last, 5th of 17, 8l behind Red Key (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Sep.
