tracked leaders, lost place before 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, in rear from 6th, behind when pulled up before 10th
held up towards rear, pulled up before 8th, dismounted, pulled up
led or disputed lead, mistake 3 out, headed next, no impression on winner, no extra when lost 3rd towards finish
held up in rear, headway going well before 3 out, led next, clear last, ridden out
mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway 10th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, no impression on winner
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, weakened before 4 out, pulled up approaching next
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, one pace 3 out, no extra from next
led or disputed lead until 2 out, no impression on winner, stayed on one pace
It's more than 12 months since RIDDLESTOWN last won over fences and he's already run seven times this year but he's holding his form well and did score over hurdles in March off a higher mark. The top weight is preferred to the frustrating Dawnieriver with his rider taking off 7lb. Paddy The Stout probably isn't the force of old but has place claims again as Badgers Retreat still looks out of sorts, as does Treacy Hotels Boy.
Riddlestown (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, led before 3 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Annamult (10-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in May.
Badgers Retreat 15-2 (11-0) Prominent, lost place after 8th, weakened from next, pulled up before 4 out, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Dawnieriver (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, chased winner before 4 out, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind La Madonnina (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in May.
Spanish Optimist (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, 5th of 12, 24 3/4l behind Withy Mills (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Paddy The Stout (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Held up, headway from 4 out, went 3rd approaching next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 22l behind Vexillum (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
Treacy Hotels Boy (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division on outside, lost place when not fluent 8th, given reminders, weakened 12th, blundered badly 3 out, pulled up before next, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Spring Steel (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, behind when pulled up before 7th, at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
Sitting Back (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th until after 6th, mistake and outpaced 3 out, rallied into modest 3rd before next until weakened before the last, 4th of 5, 29 1/4l behind Killabraher Cross (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Minority Interest 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, weakened 12th, no chance when blundered badly 3 out, soon eased, 6th of 13, 30 3/4l behind Billy Two Tongues (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in May.
