led until 2nd, tracked leader, bumped 11th, led after next, bumped when pressed last, stayed on and in command flat
prominent, mistake 5th, weakened approaching last
mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway 6th, not much room when mistake 11th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, challenging when bumped last, held by winner flat, stayed on
with leader, led 2nd, not fluent 5th, hit 12th, soon headed, not fluent 4 out, hit 2 out, no impression on front pair last, weakened flat
mid-division, awkward 4th, headway on outside 10th, weakened after 12th, tailed off
in rear, mistake 5th, behind 10th
held up towards rear, hit 12th, some late headway, never nearer
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden and struggling 11th
tracked leaders, blundered 4th, hit next, outpaced after 11th, no chance when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden when hit 9th, not fluent next, blundered 4 out, weakened next
DOUBLE MEAD has a good record around here and has won three times between the flags since chasing home the useful Divine Intavention over 3m at the track in March. Taking into account the riders' claims, she gets 9lb from Island Life who was well behind in that race but has improved since to beat Sunday City at Hereford and last year's winner, Fairwood Present, over C&D last month. Rathcor, fourth at Cheltenham earlier this month, looks the pick of the remainder though Treasury Counsel's partner did ride a winner under Rules at Hereford earlier this week.
Island Life (IRE) 8-15fav (12-1) Slight lead until after 2nd, chased leader, led again before 9th, pushed clear before 4 out until narrowly headed 2 out, rallied last, led again flat, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft in Apr beating Fairwood Present (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Sunday City (JPN) 66-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, ridden before 16th, soon weakened, 19th of 26, well behind Always Waining (10-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Fairwood Present (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leading pair, went 2nd after 12th, led 2 out, 1 length ahead when went right last, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Island Life (12-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft in Apr.
Double Mead 1-3 (10-7) Dwelt; hdwy to ld 5; lft clr 14; unchall, won at Pentreclwydau 3m ptp gs beating Alroyal (11-0) by 15l, 5 ran.
China Gold 33-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 8th, blundered badly 10th, rider lost reins, pulled up before next, in a race won by Silver Story (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) sft, 8 ran.
Inch Royal (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Prom; led 8-9; wknd 3 out, 4th of 8, 28l behind Boychuk (12-0) at Upton-upon-severn 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Niver Bai (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 13th, 6th and outpaced 5 out, stayed on from 3 out, no impression and one pace last, 4th of 9, 15l behind Creevytennant (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gf in May '11.
Pippin Fort (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Held up; jnd wnr 13; wknd 15, 2nd of 3, 30l behind Medic (12-4) at Hackwood Park 3m ptp gf in Apr.
Rathcor 7-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, not fluent 14th, mistake 4 out, outpaced next, plugged on, 4th of 9, 14l behind Amicelli (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Ladies Hunter Chase (5yo+) (4) sft.
Treasury Counsel (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) (tt) chall & mist 14; one pce 3 out, 2nd of 3, 3l behind The Old Pretender (12-0) at Pentreclwydau 3m ptp gs.
Ice Cool Benny (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, not fluent 5th, remote 7th 2 out, plugged on approaching next, no impression, 4th of 13, 45l behind Rash Move (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hts chs (5) sft.
