led, ridden 3 out, caught post
tracked leaders, blundered 9th, soon ridden, driven and kept on same pace
in touch, went 3rd at 9th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, lost 3rd at last
towards rear, headway to 4th after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on to go 3rd at last, not trouble leaders
in rear, lost touch 4 out
tracked leader, ridden 3 out, driven and stayed on to lead post
General Miller won a Grade 2 over hurdles in his younger days and has only had one run over fences so far. There is also undoubtedly more to come from Worcester second Ciceron as well while Billy Magern won easily at Ludlow last month, though is probably better over further nowadays. GUILLIBLE GORDON also has form over longer trips but ran well in the Topham Chase over this distance at Aintree in April and the fact that he goes unpenalised for a 25-length win in a conditionals' race at that track last week swings things in his favour today. Bold Perk may find this company too hot and the other two will struggle to get involved, even on their best form.
Billie Magern 9-2 (11-12) Led until before 6th, led 15th, not fluent 17th, clear 2 out, easily, won at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May beating Gambo (11-2) by 14l, 8 ran.
General Miller 10-3 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 4th, pushed along 8th, outpaced 10th, stayed on flat, almost took 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Grandads Horse (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May.
Ciceron (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4 out, led and went left 2 out, went left again last, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Pure Faith (11-3) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Lucky Landing (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, some headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Around A Pound (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Bold Perk (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Held up 5th and last, headway into 3rd after 11th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged next, led approaching 2 out, 4 lengths clear when went right last, ridden and held on flat, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May beating Eleazar (10-6) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Gullible Gordon (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Made all, clear 4 out, unchallenged, won at Aintree 3m 1f cnd hcp chs (0-135) (3) gs beating Russian War (11-12) by 25l, 7 ran.
My Brother Sylvest 10-1 (11-2) Led, mistake 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened soon after, well beaten when went left and blundered last, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Ulck Du Lin (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Dec.
