jumped well, made all, eased flat, unchallenged
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, mistake 7th, ridden and headway 12th, weakened 4 out
mistakes, raced wide tracked leaders, blundered 12th, pulled up 4 out
tracked winner, ridden 4 out, no impression, no chance with easy winner
in touch, close up 6th, tracked leaders 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened next
in rear, blundered 5 out, soon behind and pulled up
close up, dropped to rear 6th, pushed along 4 out, ridden and headway to go 3rd next, plugged on same pace
Llandinabo Lad has experience on his side but ran poorly on his reappearance at Ffos Las and Inishbiggle is equally exposed. Washington became hard to place over hurdles but has switched to Paul Nicholls and had wind surgery since last seen. Thankyourluckystar won over hurdles around here in March, as did Tightenourbelts, but this may prove to be JUBILEE EXPRESS’ optimum trip so Sam Thomas’ lightly-raced six-year-old gets the nod to make a winning start over the larger obstacles, though former pointer Val Dancer should also make a chaser.
Tightenourbelts (IRE) 3-10fav (11-7) Led, travelling best when briefly pressed for lead before 3 out, soon asserted, 8 lengths clear 2 out, extended advantage approaching last, kept up to work run-in, canter, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Mar beating Tikitov (11-7) by 18l, 5 ran.
Jubilee Express (FR) 11-8fav (10-11) Raced keenly, led until before 5th, chased leader until 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened home turn, 7th of 10, 9 1/2l behind Regarding Ruth (10-11) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Washington 9-1 (10-5) Prominent, led and not fluent 3rd, headed before next, led 3 out, soon headed, no extra from 2 out, 9th of 17, 13 1/2l behind Black Poppy (10-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May.
Llandinabo Lad 17-2 (10-13) Tracked leader, pushed along after 9th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 22 1/2l behind Matata (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Inishbiggle (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Chased winner, pushed along after 4 out, lost 2nd last, hung right flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 4, 4 1/4l behind Rexem (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Thankyourluckystar 6-5fav (11-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 4, 4 3/4l behind Fiston De Becon (11-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Val Dancer (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, pushed along 7th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 18l behind Bumpy Johnson (12-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
