held up tracking leading pair, hit 2nd and next, closed up 7th, mistake 9th, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged 3 out, upsides next, driven before last, every chance when hit last and weakened soon after
made all, pushed along when joined 3 out, driven before and pressed 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last
took keen hold, tracked winner, pushed along and dropped to close 3rd approaching 3 out, driven upsides and every chance from next, chased winner from last, stayed on same pace
Nonrunner
PIMENT D'ESTRUVAL is the only one of the quartet to have scored over fences and can make his experience tell, especially with his yard enjoying such a splendid run of form. He won with something in hand at Exeter last time and although an 11lb rise does seem somewhat harsh, he still sets the standard here. Amuse Me rattled up a quickfire hat-trick in less than a fortnight in late autumn last year and looked a useful prospect, but has failed to fire in three outings over fences to date. He is best watched, likewise Al Amaan and Blue Signal, both of whom make their respective fencing debuts after showing a fair level of form over timber.
Piment D'estruval (FR) 2-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, went right last, ridden clear, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) fm in Apr beating Bushwacker (11-9) by 5l, 5 ran.
Blue Signal (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Kasbadali (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Al Amaan 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, headway 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 29l behind Domino Dancer (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Amuse Me 5-1 (11-12) Held up, shaken up in rear after 8th, went 5th after last, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 20l behind Sky Calling (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May.
