mid-division, mistake 1st, jumped slowly 7th and 11th, weakened 5 out, pulled up after next
chased leaders, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, led approaching last, ran on strongly
in touch, lost place before 6 out, rallied after 4 out, under pressure in 5th when fell next
took keen hold in rear, headway when fell 6 out
led, blundered 5 out, headed next, rallied 3 out, weakened last
behind when brought down 6 out
prominent, led 4 out, hard ridden when headed approaching last, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure
mid-division, headway to chase leaders when not fluent 8th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Urcalin won in this grade at Warwick a month ago but may struggle off a 7lb higher mark in this more competitive affair. Dreamsoftheatre made a bold bid to complete the hat-trick at Ludlow last time but is another who has gone up in the weights. Parish Business still needs to sort out his jumping but isn't overburdened on his handicap debut over fences and will be a danger to all if getting his act together. Frampton is getting closer and Kilmurvy could also go well while By The Boardwalk is consistent but we should see PORT MELON in a different light now jumping fences. He only won a maiden over hurdles but was placed twice at Grade 2 level and has the pedigree for chasing.
Dreamsoftheatre (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden after 18th, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, headed and blundered last, held after, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Azure Fly (11-11) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Port Melon (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Led, driven when hard pressed after 3 out, headed narrowly when left in lead again soon after next, ridden and headed between last 2, no chance in clear 3rd from last, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Might Bite (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Apr.
Urcalin (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Prominent when awkward 1st, soon hampered and lost place, raced in touch towards rear after, mistake 2nd, bumped when effort 13th, went 2nd next, led when left clear 2 out, stayed on, comfortably, won at Warwick 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Horatio Hornblower (11-3) by 5l, 7 ran.
By The Boardwalk (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) In rear and in touch, beaten before 3 out, 3rd of 4, 24 3/4l behind Enchanted Garden (11-12) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Parish Business (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 4 out, no impression approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, 36l behind Vintage Vinnie (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Sep.
Billy Merriott (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 12th challenged 3 out, upsides winner when pecked and unseated rider 2 out, at Kempton 2m 4f (3) gd in May.
Frampton (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Prominent, led before 3rd, jumped right 11th, driven approaching 2 out, headed last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Feast Of Fire (10-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Kilmurvy (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, headway tracking leaders 12th, modest 4th 3 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind Ballykan (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Marden Court (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, weakened after last, 4th of 13, 14 1/2l behind Towering (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in May.
