with leader, blundered badly 2nd, soon lost place, outpaced from 5 out, went poor 4th from 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, mistake 6 out, pushed along and lost 2nd place before 3 out, one pace
led, headed before 6th, weakened from 6 out, pulled up
held up towards rear, headway before 7th, went 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, not fluent last, shaken up run-in, kept on well
tracked leaders, led before 6th, blundered 6 out, riden and headed 2 out, kept on and held towards finish
in rear, went 4th from 4 out, no impression
Vulcanite scored over timber in March but last won over fences back in 2012. ZARZAL makes more appeal as he coasted to an easy win at Ludlow a week ago and a 7lb penalty is unlikely to anchor him here if producing a similar effort. Oceana Gold has been raised 10lb for a victory at Worcester in July but he hasn't raced since and recent Exeter runner-up King Edmund is preferred. Wincanton winner Kie was outclassed in better company last time but the top weight is not out of this either.
Kie (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Chased winner until approaching 6th, chased leaders, mistake 7th and soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 7, 32l behind Australia Day (11-3) at Kempton 2m hcp chs (2) gd.
King Edmund 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, in touch from 8th, closed and went 3rd 4 out, went 2nd approaching last, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Karinga Dancer (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd.
Oceana Gold 2-1fav (11-7) Made all, not always fluent, clear 2 out, eased final 150 yards, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul beating Trooper Clarence (11-2) by 10l, 4 ran.
Vulcanite (IRE) 10-3 (11-11) In touch, tracked leading pair 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to lead approaching last, driven out flat, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar beating Gifted Leader (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Zarzal (IRE) 5-1fav (11-2) Prominent, led 4th, clear after next, blundered 7th, jumped left 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd beating Another Flutter (10-5) by 15l, 10 ran.
Stagecoach Pearl 4-1 (11-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd after 7th until led before next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Carlito Brigante (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
