with leader, led narrowly 3rd, headed after 7th, soon lost place and reminders, behind when pulled up 9th
led to 3rd, tracked leaders, led again 7th, hard pressed 3 out, ridden and headed narrowly after last, rallied to regain lead flat, kept on
held up behind in touch, close up on inside 7th, effort approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, weakened next
with leader, effort and every chance 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly after last, headed flat, no extra towards finish
with leaders on outside, lost place 9th, behind from 4 out, tailed off
held up behind in touch, headway 9th, effort to challenge on outside approaching 3 out to next, ridden and no impression before last
held up in touch, hit and reminder 7th, weakening when mistake 9th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, struggling 9th, behind from 4 out, tailed off
Nonrunner
Both Chapel House and Sycho Fred scored on their latest starts but this looks tougher while The Magic Bishop and Upthemsteps have struggled since winning earlier in the year. I've Been Framed is moving in the opposite direction as he opened his account over fences with a convincing win at Uttoxeter last time and could still be in contention despite a 12lb rise. However, if BALLYALLIA MAN is forgiven last month's below par effort at Newbury, then he looks to have leading claims, as he'd made all to win a beginners' chase at Southwell in February and Tom George's charge can get back on the winning trail here.
Soixante (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, jumped right 3rd, jumped right, lost ground and reminders 7th, tailed off 11th, pulled up after, in a race won by Buffalo Bob (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar, 6 ran.
Ballyallia Man (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Chased leadrs, went 2nd approaching 7th until 9th, went 2nd again soon after 11th, led briefly just before 4 out, chased winner until 3 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 9, 21l behind French Ties (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
The Magic Bishop 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, ridden to challenge after last, no extra, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Super Ally (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
I've Been Framed (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Made all, jumped well, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating North Stack (11-4) by 12l, 9 ran.
Irish Guard 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leading pair, lost pl;ace when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, last of 4, well behind Kikos (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr '11.
Farmer Frank 4-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 29l behind The Magic Bishop (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Led 1st until next, pressed leader, led briefly after 4 out, led 3 out, clear before next, hit last, driven out, (no time taken), won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Mar beating La Pantera Rosa (10-4) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Domoly (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, effort 4 out, plugged on and never dangerous, 4th of 11, 17l behind The Corby Glenn (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
Upthemsteps (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along after 5 out, left disputing well held 2nd when blundered 4 out, 3rd and one pace after, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Master Milan (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Chapel House 9-4fav (10-9) Made all, jumped well, clear before last, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Getaway Driver (11-8) by 7l, 5 ran.
