held up in rear, detached 5 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, smooth progress to challenge 4 out, soon led and went clear
disputed lead, jumped left and led at the 2nd, headed at the 3rd, led before 4 out, mistake and headed 4 out, ridden and no extra
disputed lead, led at the 3rd, headed 4 out, gradually weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent on occasions, ridden and every chance 3 out, no extra
NonRunner
Boothill and Wicked West have experience over fences but lack the scope of some of their rivals. Straw Fan Jack was only beaten a short-head by Black Poppy over hurdles at Newbury in March and is 8lb better off. Honneur D'Ajonc is interesting as he won four times over timber last season and should make a chaser but SUPER SIX (NAP) is also only five and even less exposed. He was a useful performer in bumpers and the two wins he achieved over hurdles were probably a bonus as he is built to jump fences. His half-brother Cardboard Gangster has already won twice over the larger obstacles this year.
Honneur D'Ajonc (FR) 18-1 (11-3) Made most until headed before 2 out weakened left modest 4th and slightly hampered by faller last, 4th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Nells Son (11-3) at Kelso 2m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Straw Fan Jack 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and chased leaders after 2 out, ran on one pace, 7th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Bold Plan (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Wicked West (IRE) 4-7fav (11-8) Chased winner, mistake 3rd, almost joined winner 4 out, ridden and lost ground one winner before 3 out, no impression afterwards, eased after last, last of 2, dist behind Hell Red (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f (3) gd in May.
Super Six 15-8 (11-12) Made most, jumped left 1st, pressed from 2 out, rider dropped rein flat, driven out gamely, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar beating Doctor Ken (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Black Poppy 11-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, headway over 3 out, led going best under 3 out, pushed along and pressed from before last, ridden and headed flat, rallied closing stages and just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Mark Of Gold (10-11) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Boothill (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Mid-division, dropped towards rear when slight mistake 5 out, soon pushed along, slightly hampered 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before next, at Galway 2m 7f hcp sft in Jul.
