took keen hold with leader, mistake 12th weakeneed after 3 out, well beaten 6th when pulled up 2 out
chased leaders, lost place under pressure 7th soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
in touch, mistake 8th, headaway from 3 out, joined leader 2 out, led last kept on well
held up, headway and went prominent 10th, went 2nd next, disputing 3rd and weakening when blundered last
led, ridden and joined 2 out, narrowly headed last, kept on flat
behind, headway and went 4th 2 out, went 3rd last until near finish
always behind, tailed off 9th
always rear division tailed off when jumped slowly 6th, tailed off
mid-division, under pressure 8th, tailed off and pulled up 11th
held up, headway 8th, jumped slowly 10th, disputing 3rd and ridden when blundered 2 out, soon driven went moderate 3rd near finish, no chance with winner
Grand Silence was nothing out of the ordinary under rules but ran one of his best races so far when chasing home Alan King's Zilcash over course and distance earlier this month and a reproduction of that form may suffice, so he gets the vote ahead of Balableu and Lillie Lou. The last mentioned has been in good form in point-to-points of late, winning her last two starts and the five-year-old has to be respected. Gardie Grissell's Glenbower Woods disappointed when pulled up two starts ago but has generally been running well and he is another to consider. Mountain Emperor has shown promise in his last two starts and has to be respected but a bigger threat is likely to come from Suzy Bull's Balableu, who has shown improved form in points of late. There was plenty to like about the way Grand Silence performed last time though and he is preferred.
Balableu (FR) 4-1 (12-0) Led to 14; wknd qckly 2 out, 3rd of 6, 14l behind New Street Express (12-0) at Hackwood Park 3m ptp gd.
Glenbower Woods (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) A.p; led 2 out til hdd & no ex app last, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Glory Trail (12-0) at Penshurst 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Grand Silence (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In touch, headway from 4 out, driven after next, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Zilcash (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gs.
Ilikehimmac (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs til unseated rider in race won by Thatmakestwoofus (12-0) at High Easter 3m ptp gf in Apr, 10 ran.
Mountain Emperor (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Led til aft 6; led 8-13 & 15 til hdd app 2 out; fin v tired, 2nd of 12, 15l behind Clash (11-7) at Fakenham 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Noble Profile 4-1 (12-0) Sev posns; ev ch app 2 out; wknd flat, 4th of 8, 9l behind Whataclue (11-7) at Hackwood Park 3m ptp gd.
Nomadic Blaze 8-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs to 15, 6th of 11, 30l behind Mid Div And Creep (11-7) at Fakenham 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Reymysterio (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) (cp) held up; stdy hdwy 15; rdn & wknd 2 out, 5th of 11, 10l behind Prey Bird (12-0) at Northaw 3m ptp gd.
Lillie Lou 2-1 (11-0) Trckd ldrs; led 13; easy, won at Peper Harow 3m ptp gf beating El Viejo (12-0) by 20l, 5 ran.
