chased leaders, outpaced and no impression from 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 3rd, hit 9th, every chance when not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
prominent, lost place 4th, well beaten from 8th
mid-division when stumbed and dropped to last after 1st, modest headway when jumped left 3 out, no impression and soon well beaten
held up in rear, hampered after 1st, bumped 5th, headway next, not fluent 9th, mistake 3 out, challenged last, soon led and quickened clear
took keen hold, jumped left at times, led until after last, not pace of winner
chased leaders, lost place 2nd, closed 4th, outpaced before 8th, no impression
held up towards rear, hampered after 1st, struggling from 7th, tailed off
prominent, every chance and ridden 3 out, no extra flat
prominent until before 8th
in rear, jumped left 6th, behind 8th, tailed off
What Of It won this last year but was soon tailed off at Ludlow last month in a race in which Shrewd Investment was second and Warwickshire fourth. Both the latter pair were also well beaten, however, and lack the scope of David Dunsdon's Utopian, who was a very easy winner at Fakenham last month. HIMALAYAN EXPRESS left it much too late at Cheltenham last time and was also let down by his jumping. But he's effective over this trip and is fancied to get back on track if close enough on the final circuit.
Oranger (FR) 12-1 (12-7) (bl) lost tch 12; to, 4th of 5, 47l behind New Alco (12-4) at Kimblewick 3m ptp.
Shrewd Investment 3-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, chased winner before 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Foundry Square (12-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
What Of It (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, weakened before 12th, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Foundry Square (12-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Himalayan Express 14-1 (11-8) Behind, struggling 7th, reminders next, headway under pressure 2 out, ridden and stayed on from last, never nearer, 5th of 11, 9l behind Popaway (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) gs in Apr.
Utopian (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Settled in rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, mistake next, went 2nd 3 out, led last, pushed clear, easily (1 fence omitted), won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gd in Apr beating Master Workman (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Warwickshire (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led, soon clear, jumped left 1st, headed 4 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 39l behind Foundry Square (12-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Ballagio (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) (tt) led to 2 & 4-14; kpt on one pce 3 out, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Oscarsfriend (12-0) at East Kent with West Street 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Dunga (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) (cp) led til hdd & wknd qckly 13; to, 6th of 9, well behind Quirky Kirky (12-0) at Quorn 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Pinsandneedles 3-1 (12-0) Last to 13; led app 2 out til hdd app last; no ex flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Louisthenineteenth (12-0) at East Kent with West Street 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Polyfast (FR) 6-1 (12-0) (bl) (tt) prom; led 13; drew clr 4 out; hdd & wknd qckly app last, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Thenford Ryde (12-0) at East Kent with West Street 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Phiroza 12-1 (11-7) Led til hdd 7; wknd 3 out, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Darby's Turn (12-4) at Vine & Craven 3m ptp in Apr.