chased leader, led well before 2 out until 2 out, chased winner, well held when no extra and dropped to 3rd run-in
held up in 4th, 3rd going well after 3 out, led going well 2 out, 2 lengths clear last, ridden and always doing enough run-in
held up last, closer on wide outside after 5th, 3rd briefly before 8th where jumped slowly, never on terms after, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, mistake next, plugged on
chased leading pair, not fluent 7th, outpaced in 4th after 3 out, rallied into 2nd and kept on run-in
led, headed and weakened rapidly well before 2 out
Nicky Henderson enjoys a strike rate of 30 per cent over the past five years at the Lincolnshire track and VOLNAY DE THAIX is expected to go well for the Seven Barrows operation. Back to form the last day with an excellent third under topweight in the Perth Gold Cup, a repeat performance would make the gelding, still lightly-raced over fences, tough to beat. The Tourard Man is 10lb lower over fences compared to his hurdle rating and now tackles fences for the first time since last October. He is respected, as is last-time-out course and distance winner Oscarteea but the latter has been hit with a mighty 13lb hike for that win which may prove too onerous. Sandymount and Dovils Date have claims but will need to be at their very best to contend.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent 10th, headway 14th, kept on from 3 out, 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Beeves (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
The Tourard Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, headway 8th, led 2 out, headed before last, soon beaten, no extra flat, 6th of 16, 14 1/4l behind Mia's Storm (10-2) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Oscarteea (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside after 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Brian Boranha (11-2) by 17l, 8 ran.
Sandymount (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, in touch before 9th, outpaced 2 out, well beaten before last, 7th of 8, 28 1/2l behind Morning Royalty (10-6) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in May.
Dovils Date 3-1 (9-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (6) gf in Jun beating Nachi Falls (9-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.