chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in rear, smooth headway after 4 out, chased winner approaching 2nd last, stayed on well flat
made all, jumped well, driven 2 out, ran on well
tracked winner, pushed along after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, jumped left 6th, slow 8th, soon lost place, blundered 11th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
always behind
held up in touch, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge
GOOD COMPANY is rated well clear of his opponents here and with better luck than last time out he should be capable of winning, with Jurado Express and Who Else Knew as the leading dangers. The selection was unlucky to have been squeezed for room and run out last time when still travelling well, and there should be no excuses with trip or ground. He is a stone ahead of Alphabetical and more clear of the rest and can make the most of it. Jurado Express racked up a hat-trick of wins in this sphere a couple of years ago, but has not been seen since a defeat to the useful Bob Hall in April of last year. Trip and conditions suit and we will be anticipating a good performance. Who Else Knew has a soft ground win over this trip to his name and went well enough at Wincanton last time. He acts on a sound surface and should be thereabouts. Palmers Peak will want a strong pace to be seen to best effect, as he stays three miles, although he is effective over this far and is respected, but Good Company can take the prize.
Alphabetical (IRE) 11-4fav (12-1) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, headway 11th, kept on from 3 out, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 13, 22l behind Carrick Oscar (11-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd.
Good Company (IRE) 6-1 (12-6) Held up in rear, ran out 7th (water), in a race won by Gentle George (12-2) at Newbury 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs, 10 ran.
Jurado Express (IRE) 7-2 (12-1) Prominent, led 4 out, soon ridden, blundered and headed 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Bob Hall (12-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f hts chs (6) gf in May.
Palmers Peak (IRE) 5-1 (12-1) Disputed lead, led 8th to 9th, led again narrowly 11th, ridden and narrow advantage when left 2 length clear 3 out, headed before next, soon beaten, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Breaking Silence (11-10) at Doncaster 3m 2f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.
Who Else Knew (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Behind, reminders 6th, headway 12th, chased leading pair before 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Carrick Oscar (11-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd.
Balladeer (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Prog 13; led 2 out; rdn out, won at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd beating Home By Midnight (10-7) by 3l, 9 ran.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Close up, chased leader 12th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 12, 17l behind Scots Dragoon (11-12) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gd.
