in touch, blundered 8th, driven 12th, headway to track leader 4 out, led 3 out, driven and stayed on well
led to 10th, chased leader until weakened 4 out, beaten when hit next
chased leader until hit 3rd, stayed prominent until fell 12th
mistakes in rear, hit 4th, 5th, 7th and 11th, behind when brought down 12th
held up in rear, hit 5th and 11th, some headway 12th, weakened soon after 4 out
in touch, driven along 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
chased leaders, mistake 7th, blundered next, went 2nd 9th, led 10th to 3 out, soon driven and held but clear 2nd
held up, steady headway 10th, chased leaders after 4 out, went modest 3rd 3 out until near finish
pushed along 11th, in rear when brought down next
chased leader 3rd to 9th, effort to chase leaders 4 out, 4th and beaten when blundered 2 out, plugged on to take 3rd near finish
Black Hills has been disappointing in two runs this season but a drop in grade may see him in a better light; however John Diamond is a progressive sort and so he gets the nomination ahead of Ola Du Sulon and Jericho III. Henrietta Knight's stable are starting to grind into gear and the selection won very pleasingly earlier this month. He has now won two of his three starts over fences and his only defeat came when tried over an inadequate trip. Jericho III steps up in trip but his best runs have come over the minimum trip, so whilst he has claims, this front-runner can be passed over. Ola Du Sulon is an interesting contender with his trainer's band of runners doing well when crossing the channel, whilst fresh could be the best time to catch Pole Star so he has claims. Pretty Star is a consistent sort and his stable are going well, whilst other dangers lurk in the form of Randwick Roar and Keepthedreamalive. Robert Alner's pair need checks in the betting, however it is John Diamond who is fancied to win again.
Black Hills 33-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, hit 8th, weakened 4 out, 14th of 20, well behind L'Antartique (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd.
Jericho III (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Led until 2nd, chased leader, ridden and weakened 8th, 9th of 10, 49l behind The Wicketkeeper (10-10) at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gf.
Pole Star 25-1 (11-0) Held up, struggling halfway, no chance when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Reveillez (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Ola Du Sulon (FR) (10-12) Won at Auteuil 2m 6f chs in Jun beating Metronome (10-8) by a shd, 13 ran.
Harry's Dream 16-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden 11th, behind from 14th, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Oniz Tiptoes (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Pretty Star (GER) 10-3 (11-6) Chased leaders, driven 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 6, 16l behind The Entomologist (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
John Diamond (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Prominent, chased leader 13th, led 4 out, pushed clear from 3 out, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd beating Manly Money (11-5) by 12l, 9 ran.
Mort De Rire (FR) 10-1 (11-6) In rear and not jump well, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by East Tycoon (11-5) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
