led early, headed and remained close up after 1st, led 4th, hit 2 out and pushed along, stayed on well run-in
led after 1st, headed 4th, prominent, dropped away after 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, dropped to rear 7th, mistake 9th and struggling, pulled up
towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway into 3rd after 3 out, pushed along home turn, in contention when fell 2 out
in rear, in touch, closed up before 8th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
chased leader, pushed along in 2nd after 3 out, ridden home turn, kept on, no impression on winner
NonRunner
Question marks against all of these but DESQUE DE L'ISLE, who disappointed on his last two runs last term, previously landed two in a row at Ludlow. Conditions will suit the five-times chase winner who is the most experienced fencer here by some way. Forget The Way is the most consistent in the line-up and receives weight all round but this is his chasing debut. Mr Grey Sky, Orange Diamond and Clonakilty all lack fencing experience as well and New Found Fame needs to improve on hurdling exploits. Showbusiness as always looked a chaser in the making, however, and had solid hurdling form for Gordon Elliott last season.
Mr Grey Sky (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Pulled hard, chased clear leader, shaken up before 3 out, ridden along and weakened after 2 out, last of 8, 37 1/2l behind Spirit D'aunou (11-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Desque De L'Isle (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along and weakened rapidly approaching 3 out, 7th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Maninsane (11-9) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Orange Diamond (FR) 14-1 (10-11) 5th of 9, 21 3/4l behind Loquas (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 2f hcp gd in Jun.
New Found Fame (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out where not fluent, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Kepagge (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Clonakilty (IRE) 6-4 (11-9) Prominent, led 3 out and shaken up, headed 2 out and pushed along, soon well held, tired jump last and fell, at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Apr.
Forget The Way 9-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 5th, no impression when not fluent 2 out, went 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 13 1/2l behind Uggy Uggy Uggy (11-8) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Showbusiness (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, some headway before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Letterston Lady (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
