chased leaders in 3rd, fell 6 out
tracked leader, challenged last, soon led, kept on, driven out
tracked leaders in rear, left 3rd from 6 out, ridden before last, went 2nd final 100 yards, kept on
led, hit 4 out, mistake 3 out, headed after last, lost 2nd place when weakened final 100 yards
Upthemsteps just held on over 2m4f at Towcester last week and has a 7lb penalty to carry here. Soft ground suits him well but the concession of 11lb to FREDDIE BROWN may be beyond him. George Charlton's charge is a regular here and expected to be suited by today's step up in distance. Pena Dorada didn't appear to last home over 3m1f here last month but this trip should be within his range and he has a lot more scope than South O' The Border, who has only managed one place in five previous runs over fences and hasn't shown a great deal over hurdles lately.
Pena Dorada (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, occasionally went 2nd, dropped to last before 14th and outpaced, closed 3 out, hit next, soon beaten, weakened final 150 yards, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Inverlochy Lad (11-7) at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Apr.
Upthemsteps (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Chased leader, went left 10th, led 3 out, 3 lengths ahead and ridden before last, stayed on flat, all out, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Apr beating Ballyoliver (11-6) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
South O'The Border 9-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden after 3 out, never on terms, weakened approaching last, 6th of 9, 17l behind Michel Le Bon (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Apr.
Freddie Brown 2-1fav (10-5) Led to 6th, mistakes throughout, outpaced 2 out, blundered last, one pace, 4th of 7, 10l behind Mr Syntax (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
