towards rear and in touch, left 2nd before 3rd, led before 6th, blundered 10th, headed before 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner
tracked leader, hampered and left in lead after 2nd, headed before 6th, led again before 2 out, kept on strongly
led, veered right on dog leg in rails after 2nd and unseated rider
in rear, mistake 2nd, never dangerous from 10th
in touch, chased clear pair from 3rd, no impression
Paul Nicholls' runners boast a 40 per cent strike-rate here and the switch to fences is sure to suit Give Me A Copper. Already successful between the flags, he'll be one to follow in the months ahead whatever happens today, though may be coming up against an equally talented rival in BIG RIVER. A really progressive sort he, too, has a chasing pedigree and was hugely impressive in a handicap hurdle here in March. Acdc has some ability so makes more appeal than Kenny Johnson's pair.
Acdc (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, outpaced 6 out, headway before 3 out, blundered 2 out, kept on run-in, 5th of 15, 11 1/2l behind Beer Goggles (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Big River (IRE) 10-3 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Mar beating Seeyouatmidnight (11-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Give Me A Copper (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led last, held on well run-in, won at Ayr 2m 4f (3) gs in Apr beating Burbank (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mahler Bay (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Mid-division, pushed along 8th, soon weakened, 11th of 14, dist behind Dica (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Under The Red Sky (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Held up, weakened 10th, pulled up before 4 out, at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.