tracked leaders, took keen hold, led before 7th, headed 11th, led again after 15th, headed 3 out, no impression last, one pace
led 1st, headed before 7th, led 11th, headed after 15th, switched left before 4 out, led again 3 out, clear last, pushed out
led until 1st, prominent, led 9th, headed when not fluent 11th (water), pushed along after next, struggling 14th, weakened after next, mistake 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
jumped left at times, in touch in last, not fluent 1st, lost touch from 12th, remote 3rd 4 out
NonRunner
None of the principals have had a recent run and May’s easy Fontwell winner Gauvain turned 15 on New Year’s Day. MENDIP EXPRESS is the class act as he was placed in championship races at Aintree and Punchestown last spring behind On The Fringe. He has won six of his 15 races under Rules and should take care of Mr Mercurial off level weights - more than 15 lengths separated the pair at Cheltenham last March. The Ould Lad and Daring Article are likely to find the other trio far too good.
Mendip Express (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, progress to lead 12th, headed 3 out, pushed along and no impression on winner before last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 5l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f Yielding in Apr.
Mr Mercurial (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Led until 4th, led again 6th until 4 out, chased winner until 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, weakened into 4th before the last, 4th of 7, 16l behind Paint The Clouds (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f (2) gd in May.
Daring Article (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, reminders after 10th, never near leaders, 6th of 13, dist behind Persian Snow (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) sft in Feb.
The Ould Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In tch til wknd qckly 12; t.o & pu 3 out, at Barbury Racecourse 3m in Jan.
Gauvain (GER) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leader 2nd, led before 8th, clear after 10th, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 5f (6) gs in May beating Polisky (11-11) by 12l, 6 ran.
