chased leaders, hit 10th, challenged 2 out until last, weakened flat
chased leaders, driven after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, reminder after 7th, struggling after 9th
held up, headway 8th, outpaced next, rallied approaching 3 out, led flat, stayed on
chased clear leader, hit 5th, led approaching 3 out, headed when hit 3 out, weakened last
held up in rear, headway 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
led, clear approaching 3rd, hit next, reduced advantage before 8th, headed approaching 3 out, soon led again, stayed on gamely, headed flat, no extra towards finish
in rear, not fluent 3rd, hampered and nearly unseated rider after 8th, never near leaders
in rear, ridden along before 4th, lost touch after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
mid-division, headway when hit 8th, weakening when mistake next
Nonrunner
A victory for Downing Street may help cover expenses, but our preference is for ARMENIAN BOY, whilst also respecting the chances of C'Monthehammers. David Pipe's gelding is joint top weight, but in fine fettle, showing steady improvement this year, being third, second and first in his last three races, albeit over slightly shorter. The way he's been going though, this slight step up shouldn't be a problem. The recent addition of a tongue strap has certainly helped, and that stays in today. He's the only interest on the card for David Pipe and Tom Scudamore. C'Monthehammers is on a hat-trick; last time out he wasn't the most straightforward but still won with plenty in hand at Perth in a conditionals race after previously breaking his maiden at Uttoxeter. For those who follow trends, the trainer and jockey won this race last year. Downing Street won here last month over slightly shorter, and is seemingly over his injuries and breathing problems. That was his first hurdles win in about four years. He's also going to be campaigned again on the flat, but the fact connections have put him into this contest suggests some degree of confidence. Shenanigan, Seshanka and I'm The Decider are all course and distance winners, with the pick of them being the consistently placed Seshanka who's had two wins and four places in his last six outings. he might be a nice each-way price, but to win it, we'll be siding with Armenian Boy.
Armenian Boy (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, clear next, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Apr beating Captain Becket (10-6) by 5l, 11 ran.
Supreme Being (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, led to 2nd, remained prominent, beaten approaching last, 6th of 16, 11l behind Mirage Dore (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
C'Monthehammers (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Prominent, dropped rear and reminders before 4th, badly outpaced 3 out, headway between last 2, ridden and stayed on to lead flat, won at Perth 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr beating Easby Park (11-7) by 5l, 10 ran.
I'm The Decider (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Held up, pushed along after 7th, headway next, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 17l behind Great Approach (10-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Shenanigan 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division until after 5th, soon behind, 10th of 16, 36l behind Sheshali (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Phone In 22-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway after 6th, badly hampered and unseated rider bend after 7th, in a race won by So Now (11-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Downing Street (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, hard ridden to lead close home, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr beating Stellenbosch (11-5) by hd, 9 ran.
Scots Dragoon 5-1 (10-13) Keen early, held up, headway and in touch before 3 out, effort next, ridden and one pace last, 3rd of 10, 8l behind C'monthehammers (10-12) at Perth 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Sashenka 5-1 (11-0) Made most until after 9th, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 11, 9l behind So Now (11-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Il En Reve (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Led, headed 5th, led again before 7th, ridden and headed before 3 out, no extra in 7th 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 16l behind Old Si (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Mar.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 100-1 (9-11) Prominent, reminders after 5th, lost place next, no chance from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Big Buck's (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Prof de L'Isle (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Mid-division, pushed along briefly after 5th, headway approaching 8th, soon ridden, not much room and lost place before 3 out, stayed on same pace last, soon went 3rd, no danger, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Max Bygraves (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Magnifico (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Prominent, outpaced by winner 4 out, stayed on well from 2 out, just failed, 2nd of 16, hd behind Cashel Blue (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
