chased leader until approaching 4th, chased leaders, went 2nd again after 6th, no chance from 8th, lost distant 2nd flat, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along early stages, went 2nd approaching 4th, led next, clear 8th, won at a canter
chased leading trio, dropped to rear from 4th, went 3rd after 8th, went poor 2nd flat, tailed off
led until headed 5th, chased leader until blundered and lost place 7th, no chance after, tailed off
held up last, went 4th at 4th, ridden and mistake 6th, struggling soon after, tailed off
Nonrunner
SIR BATHWICK was far from disgraced when runner-up to Commercial Express at Perth two weeks ago and should go one better with a similar performance here. Swordsman should strip fitter for a run on the Flat last month and rates a bigger danger than Kadount, who won this last year but has finished last in two recent starts under Rules. Rustic John was well beaten at Southwell last month but still looks best of the rest.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 5-1 (11-13) Led, took keen hold, ridden and headed close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Commercial Express (11-5) at Perth 3m 2f hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Swordsman (GER) 14-1 (10-0) Jumped slowly 1st, rear and ridden along after, headway 5th, lost place when not fluent 7th, mistake 10th, behind from 12th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Simply Smashing (10-4) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sep.
Glenbower Woods (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Prom to 11; to & pu last, in a race won by Vote For Doodle (12-0) at Catsfield 3m ptp fm in Apr, 6 ran.
Rustic John 5-1 (11-9) Jumped right, ridden and headed 16th, ridden after 4 out, chased leader until approaching 3 out, beaten when jumped right last 3, 3rd of 4, 36l behind Breaking Silence (12-6) at Southwell 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Vial De Kerdec (FR) 4-1 (12-5) (cp) led to 11; sn outpcd, last of 2, 10l behind Parrain (12-5) at Higham 3m ptp fm.
Kadount (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Close up, mistake 14th, struggling soon after, rallied flat, last of 4, 36l behind Assassino (11-5) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gf.
