tracked leader, led 8th, strongly challenged from 3 out, stayed on strongly closing stages
led, jumped badly right throughout, headed 8th, slow next, weakened 4 out, moderate 3rd
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, pushed along after next, every chance from 3 out, no extra after last
Nonrunner
ARTIC PRIDE wasn't disgraced in what looked a hot race at Cheltenham at the start of the month. A winner of five of his nine starts between the flags, Emma Clark's charge looks the one to be on here. Farmer Frank was well beaten on his latest start in a point-to-point but Bedrock Fred gamely made all at Hursley Hambledon three weeks ago and could go well if handling these stiffer fences. John Dillon would be a surprise winner however.
Artic Pride (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, some headway 12th, 9th and no impression 4 out, stayed on well from 2 out, went 4th flat, 4th of 17, 18l behind Harbour Court (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Bedrock Fred 5-1 (12-0) Made all; held on wl, won at Hursley Hambledon 3m ptp gf in Apr beating Jayne's Crusader (12-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Farmer Frank 4-1 (11-0) Chsd wnr 13 til wknd 3 out, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Palypso De Creek (11-0) at Quorn 3m ptp gd in Apr.
John Dillon (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) (v) chsd ldrs til wknd 14; wl bhnd when pu 3 out, in a race won by French Seventyfive (11-0) at York & Ainsty (North and South) 3m ptp gd in Apr, 9 ran.