led, mistake and headed 15th, soon dropped to 3rd, trying to rally on outside when blundered and rider lost iron briefly 3 out, weakened
held up in touch in rear, fell 15th
jumped left throughout and raced wide, chased leaders, reminders after 14th, 2nd after next, every chance 4 out , went left and lost 2nd next, kept on same pace in 3rd
chased leaders, not fluent 8th, lost place before 12th, rallied 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
tracked leader, led 15th, made rest, clear from 2 out, stayed on well
held up in 5th place, weakened 15th, jumped left 3 out, tailed off
NonRunner
Virak won a Grade 2 as a novice in 2014 but only managed one victory after. He lost his way last year but a spell hunting could have recharged the batteries and he is making his debut in hunter chases, though his yard is unusually quiet at present. MENDIP EXPRESS was only second when a very short price here under a year ago but later ran with distinction at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. He had an outing in a handicap at Fontwell last month and will be ready for this. Now Ben has been in good form between the flags but Real Milan is starting to look a little long in the tooth and, along with Lilbitluso, is likely to find a few of these too good.
Mendip Express (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, in rear when mistake 10th, chased leaders again when hampered 4 out, soon outpaced, disputed modest 3rd when mistake 2 out, no chance after, 4th of 6, 19 1/4l behind Get On The Yager (11-6) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Lilbitluso (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Trckd ldrs; led aft 15 til hdd app 2 out; no ex, 3rd of 12, 10 1/4l behind Battle Dust (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Dec.
Tugboat (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Soon behind, 7th of 8, 31 1/4l behind Curraigflemens (11-2) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Real Milan (IRE) 2-1fav (12-7) (cp) led til hdd aft 12; led 15 til hdd & rdr mistook winning post flat; nt rec, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind L'Eldorado (12-3) at Larkhill 3m gd in Jan.
Virak (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Led until after 2nd, stayed handy, lost place 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Upswing (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Wild Bill (IRE) 5-1 (12-4) Led to 12; wknd qckly 3 out; pu nxt, at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Dec.
Now Ben (IRE) 4-5fav (12-7) A.p; led 10; lft clr 2 out, won at Cottenham 3m gs in Dec beating Burtredgipandgump (12-0) by 25l, 6 ran.
