in touch, blundered and unseated rider 9th
in touch, headway chasing leaders 7th, outpaced in 4th after 10th, left 3rd next, challenged and mistake 3 out, rallied to lead 2 out, soon edged right, headed and no extra in 3rd run-in
in rear, lost touch 10th, left modest 4th next
led before 2nd, narrowly headed when slithered on landing all but fell and unseated rider 11th
chased leaders, pushed along before left in 2nd at 11th until approaching 4 out, chased leading pair and pushed along, soon ridden, rallied and stayed on to lead final 100 yards
led until 2nd, pressed leader, led narrowly approaching 11th, driven before 3 out, slight peck and headed 2 out, chased leader, led again run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards
Fountains Flypast is jumping fences late in life but was placed at Taunton on his first try over the larger obstacles. Venetian Lad has won six times around here, twice off today's mark. But his advancing years may be taking their toll and he seems to prefer better ground nowadays. Arquebusier makes his chasing debut but could figure if embracing the new challenge and makes more appeal than Money Talks. DE BLACKSMITH has yet to win over fences but has been placed six times, including in his last three. He's not getting much leniency from the handicapper but looks the best option as Atlantic Roller's record is no better and he only ran four days ago.
De Blacksmith (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Tracked winner until not fluent 5th, jumped slowly 7th, went 2nd again before 2 out, pressing winner after last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind De Kerry Man (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Money Talks 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, jumped left and lost place 4th, struggling 8th, 5th of 11, 33 3/4l behind Always On The Run (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Fountains Flypast 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 9th, outpaced before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression, one pace, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Gallic Warrior (10-5) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Atlantic Roller (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 10th, under pressure when jumped left 2 out, kept on well towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Morney Wing (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Venetian Lad 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 11th, stayed on after 2nd last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 15l behind Thinger Licht (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Arquebusier (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Led, mistake 2nd, headed before 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Pinnacle Panda (11-9) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
