held up behind in touch, tracked leaders 12th, challenged 3 out (usual 4 out), 3 lengths down in 2nd and one pace 2 out, lost place last, no extra
held up in touch, lost place 12th, behind when pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)
made most, not fluent 9th, ridden after 3 out (usual 4 out), 3 lengths clear when not fluent 2 out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, effort 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden and outpaced before 2 out, no impression last
disputed lead until blundered 3rd, remained prominent, lost place and reminders 12th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)
tracked leaders on outside, reminders 12th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)
held up in touch, tracked leaders 12th, outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), rallied and went 2nd last, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish
Nonrunner
Nigel and son Sam Twiston-Davies had a couple of big winners at Cheltenham on Saturday and will he hopeful of a big run from Royal Riviera, who has been placed in all three starts so far over fences. He was well ahead of Best Boy Barney at Lingfield last month. Carhue Princess won over hurdles at Towcester last month while Still Believing is a regular here and Evan Williams' ex-pointer won a maiden hurdle at the track in March. SAROQUE could be the interesting one, however, as he's bred to jump fences and will be all the better for a recent pipe-opener over timber when he cut out a lot of the running - he might be well handicapped. Off The Wall sports blinkers on his first try over the larger obstacles.
Off The Wall (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 1st, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 9, 19l behind Cowards Close (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Still Believing (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Held up in touch towards rear, not fluent 8th, headway after next, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner when stumbled badly last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Pension Plan (11-10) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Saroque (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Led, not fluent 4th, headed after 3 out, no extra before next, 5th of 11, 18l behind If In Doubt (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Royal Riviera 9-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, went 2nd next, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Via Sundown (11-7) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Best Boy Barney (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, blundered 4th, pecked 14th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 6, 27l behind Via Sundown (11-7) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Gospel Preacher 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, jumped left and not fluent 9th, headway after 11th, ridden and weakening when blundered 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Days Of Pleasure (10-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Cruising Bye 11-2 (11-10) Pulled hard in touch, lost place 6th, 8th of 15, 27l behind Rigolo Ville (11-6) at Exeter 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Keltic Crisis (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) In rear, blundered 1st, fell 7th, in a race won by King Massini (11-9) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Carhue Princess (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Prominent, not fluent 6th, led next, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 19l behind Mini Muck (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gs.
