tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd at 10th, mistake 12th, mistake 4 out, led 2 out, kept on under pressure from last, driven out
in rear and in touch, in 3rd and going well when fell 3 out
tracked leader, blundered badly and unseated rider 10th
led, ridden before 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on and pressed winner from last, held near finish
Nonrunner
An interesting little contest but it's probably worth opposing Delgany Gunner, who would prefer easier going. All of Venetian Lad's four victories have come at this course, though off much lower marks, while it took Haar 18 attempts to get off the mark over fences though he followed up his Southwell success with another win at Huntingdon. CITY PRESS also won at the latter track last week and, as that was only his third run over the larger obstacles, probably has more scope than the top weight and can defy his penalty. Aikideau was a decent hurdler but has struggled over fences so far. He is Paul Nicholls' only runner today, however, so shouldn't be ignored.
Haar 3-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 5 out, led before 2 out, driven out, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr beating Refusal (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
City Press (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Pulled hard in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, led approaching last, idled flat, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr beating Kauto The Roc (10-13) by 5l, 9 ran.
Venetian Lad 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 11th to before next, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Red Anchor (9-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Delgany Gunner 20-1 (10-5) Always in rear, tailed off, 7th of 12, 46l behind King Jack (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Aikideau (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, challenged on outside 11th, left clear 3rd next, outpaced 3 out, no chance with winner in narrow 2nd when fell next, in a race won by Rajdhani Express (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
