always behind, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out, blundered last
tracked leaders in 4th, headway to track leader and closed before 7th, not fluent 4 out, driven to lead 3 out, soon clear, eased near finish
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden after 3 out, chased clear winner 2 out, no impression and lost 2nd near finish
raced freely, led and soon clear, reduced lead 7th, mistake and headed 3 out, 2nd and beaten when hit 2 out, weakened
tracked leader to approaching 7th, stayed prominent, outpaced on long run to 4 out, rallied into 3rd when mistake 3 out, hit last, went 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Madison de Vonnas is the pick over Romany Dream, with River Amora and Caribbean Cove best of the rest. Madison de Vonnas has in the main been consistent since being put over fences, having finished third at Huntingdon and Newbury. Granted, he was beaten a distance at the Berkshire track, but the tacky ground was all against him that day, and he did run well until the cross-fence five out. He was good enough to hump topweight to victory over hurdles at Plumpton last October, and should be in the shake-up here. Romany Dream ran well enough when second at Warwick and this drop back in trip will help his cause, as will the ground, while River Amora, successful over the course-and-distance in March, is another that can make his presence felt despite being out of the handicap. Caribbean Cove has a lot of weight and could do with some respite from the handicapper, so we shall stay loyal to Madison de Vonnas.
Caribbean Cove (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 12th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 27l behind Tribal Dancer (9-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Haafel (USA) 14-1 (11-7) Chased winner, ridden along after 6th, behind from 9th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Walcot Lad (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 8 ran.
Romany Dream 6-1 (11-3) Close up, outpaced by winner 13th, kept on from 2 out, no chance, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Lord Dundaniel (11-5) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
French Direction (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Led to 3rd, led again approaching 5th to 7th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Spinaround (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 12 ran.
River Amora (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-4) Led 3rd, headed 6th, led again after 7th, headed 10th, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 20l behind Sailor A'Hoy (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-88 (5) gs in Mar.
Madison de Vonnas (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, jumped slowly 6th, headway 10th, mistake 11th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, left 3rd before 2 out, finished tired, 3rd of 6, well behind Lord On The Run (11-5) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
