led, hard driven when headed before 4 out, hampered next, weakened after 2 out
in touch, mistake 10th, jumped right 12th and 13th, hampered 4 out, jumped badly right 3 out and 2 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
towards rear when jumped left and unseated rider 1st
held up in rear, under pressure 6 out, soon beaten, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leader, keen, led before 4 out, clear after 2 out, easily
in touch, lost place 6th, soon struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
in touch, never jumped fluently, mistake 6th, driven to challenge when fell 3 out
Zamdy Man looked a very smart prospect when completing a hat-trick over hurdles in 2014 with a Grade 2 victory at Haydock. He hasn't quite fulfilled his potential but showed he has a future over fences with a battling victory at Uttoxeter in April. Cottersrock made a successful chasing debut over this trip at Uttoxeter but has failed to stay when tackling longer distances. Nicky Henderson had numerous entries at the early stage and relies on Kilcrea Vale, a winner between the flags and over hurdles at Market Rasen. He probably would have completed a hat-trick but for falling at Ascot and was highly tried later so he's definitely on to keep an eye on. WESTREN WARRIOR performed at a high level over hurdles and made a very encouraging start over fences at Kelso where he stayed on well behind the equally promising Aux Ptits Soins. He receives 7lb from the winners and that can enable him to get off the mark.
Cottersrock (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Tracked leading pair, 2nd after 10th until blundered 12th, chased leading pair until 4 out, no impression when left modest 3rd after next, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Relentless Dreamer (11-1) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Zamdy Man 7-4 (11-0) Tracked leader, driven before 4 out, led next, soon ridden, hard pressed last, kept on under pressure flat, found extra towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m (3) sft in Apr beating The Saint James (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Cyrius Moriviere (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked winner, pushed along and 2 lengths down when fell 10th, at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
High Counsel (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Held up in touch in rear, closed 7th, every chance 3 out, 4th and beaten last, no extra, 4th of 6, 12 1/4l behind Mister Don (11-12) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Kilcrea Vale (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 4th, chased leaders after 3 out, weakened approaching next, 9th of 17, 13l behind Mckinley (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Royal Redemption (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, headway from 7th, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Express Du Berlais (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Westren Warrior (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) In touch, ridden before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Aux Ptits Soins (11-1) at Kelso 2m 7f (3) gs in Dec.