led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, rallied flat, led again nearing finish
in touch, hit and reminders 9th, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace from last
held up, outpaced 13, rallied and disputing 3rd when fell next
behind, reminded 6th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 11th
in touch, outpaced 13th, lost place when hampered next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
tracked winner, led 2 out, ridden last, kept on until no extra and headed near finish
4th, distance, mistake, chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
Baron Monty is given the vote here, with Strong Resolve rated a danger assuming his jumping holds up. The selection was a winner at Ayr when last seen back in March and whilst he has shown a tendency to improve for his first outings in the past, the fact that he revels in soft conditions gives him the edge here; he could have a profitable season as he is lightly-raced for a nine-year-old and has shown ability over both hurdles and fences. Innisfree and Strong Resolve have both made jumping errors in the past but they can both be good on their day and both stay very well; both have also won over course and distance in the past. No Picnic has claims, although he tends to hit the places rather than the winners enclosure, much like his trainer's form at the moment. More Likely is a potential improver with a recent run likely to have brought him on, however it is Baron Monty who can score.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Led to 11th, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, 26l behind Baodai (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Baron Monty (IRE) 1-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 12th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and soon led, driven out, won at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar beating Theboyfrombulawayo (11-3) by 1l, 6 ran.
More Likely 33-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, lost place 9th, ridden 12th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 14l behind King Harald (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Crackadee 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, reminders 7th, behind when pulled up in race won by Trisons Star (10-12) at Newcastle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Innisfree (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 4 lengths down in 4th when fell at the 13th in race won by Lost In Normandy (9-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf, 7 ran.
No Picnic (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) In touch, headway 10th, chased winner before 12th, ridden and kept on from 3 out, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Russian Sky (9-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Miss Mattie Ross 22-1 (10-2) Led to 5th, lost place halfway, soon behind, 6th of 10, well behind Silver Jack (10-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov '06.
