chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place next, pushed along after 10th, ridden after 11th, weakened 14th, tailed off
made all, drawing clear 4 out, easily
held up in rear, headway when not fluent9th, not fluent and pushed along 15th, 3rd and well held by winner 4 out, closed on 2nd from 2 out
chased winner until 7th, lost place after 11th, behind from next, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd from 7th, no impression on winner 4 out
Judge Earle and TOPOFTHECOTSWOLDS could have an edge in fitness over their rivals. The latter is one of four previous course winners in this and can be excused his latest run at Worcester, where he got taken off his feet over a shorter trip. Volcano placed over track and trip last season but ideally needs further while Back On The Lash is seen to best effect in cross-country races nowadays. Le Cameleon showed he stayed 3m here in March, however, while Quick Draw is unexposed over the trip over fences.
Le Cameleon 8-1 (11-9) Led until 2nd, pressed leader, led again 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened between last two, 3rd of 7, 15 1/2l behind Pasvolsky (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Quick Draw (IRE) 17-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, closed 6th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 7 1/2l behind Off To A Flyer (11-3) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Led until 1st, chased leader, weakened before 4 out, last of 6, dist behind Hang In There (12-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Judge Earle (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Led, pushed along from 11th, ridden and headed 4 out, tracked winner until 2out, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Risk And Roll (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Sep.
Volcano (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Led narrowly, joined before 5th, headed 14th, remained prominent, gradually outpaced home turn, beaten when pulled up before 3 out, at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Back On The Lash 22-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened and hit 23rd, tailed off when hit 24th canal turn, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.