in touch, chased winner after 4 out, ridden approaching last, one pace flat
in touch, blundered and lost place 1st, mistake 6th, headway when hit 8th and 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, no chance when left 4th and hampered 2 out
with leader to 4th, weakened quickly
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 4th and no chance when fell 2 out
with leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
towards rear, some headway approaching 7th, fell next
in touch, hit 5th, led 9th, ridden approaching last ran on
pulled hard, always well in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
keen, led, mistake and headed 9th, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 7th, weakened next
A typically ordinary beginners chase and we take Lunar Crystal to be to good for Alrafid and General Alarm. The David Pipe-trained selection goes well at this minimum trip and has competed in much better company than this over hurdles. He drops back from an attempt at 2m 3f here last time when comfortably beaten by Penzance, but there was no disgrace in that and he should have too much for this lot. Alrafid was beaten by another very good sort in Intersky Falcon at Newton Abbot last time and races off level weights with the selection. He acts well on fast ground but will need to settle better to win this. General Alarm has the best chance on official ratings and makes his debut for Richard Ford after crossing from Ireland. He looks a potential threat although would prefer softer ground and so is opposed in favour of Lunar Crystal.
Alrafid (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, ridden and kept on one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Intersky Falcon (11-0) at N Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gf in May.
General Alarm 3-1 (11-12) Prominent, led from 3rd, clear 5th, reduced advantage 4 out, ridden along after next, headed before 2 out, kept on one paced, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Natural Storm (11-12) at Tramore 2m beg chs gd in Apr.
Gunsmoke 6-1 (12-0) Led til hdd & mist 2 out; no ex, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Milanista (11-7) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gd in May.
Imazulutoo (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Keen, stumbled and unseated rider in race won by Jockser (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr, 17 ran.
Lunar Crystal (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Led and tended to jump left, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out, left 2nd last until close home, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Penzance (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) gf in May.
Montys Tan (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 9; wknd 3 out, 4th of 14, 29l behind Scuttlebrook (11-7) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp gf in May.
Wiscalitus (GER) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 8th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 23l behind Stagecoach Diamond (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in May.
Fortune Point (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 8th, left 2nd 4 out, weakened last, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Rapide Plaisir (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr.
