keen in touch, dropped to last place 5th, hit next, not fluent 8th and next, went remote 3rd 4 out
keen early made all, quicked pace from 9th, drew clear with 2nd from 4 out, ran on strongly
keen mainly tracked winner, drew clear with winner from 4 out, tried to challenge next, no impression
close up, ridden 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off
in rear, headway 7th, hit 9th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
This looks a good opportunity for CHANGING TIMES. The dual winning hurdler found only Molotof too good in a chase at Taunton last month and can open his account over fences at the third time of asking. Wayward Frolic has fell on both starts over the larger obstacles and the remaining trio all make their chasing debuts. Monturgeon is probably just the best of them over timber and makes more appeal than Irish import Blackwell Synergy and Soudain.
Blackwell Synergy (FR) 7-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd after 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 9th of 18, 24l behind Cootamundra (10-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Changing Times (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Led, hit 7th, blundered and headed soon after 4 out, led again and stumbled 3 out, driven before last, no extra and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Molotof (11-2) at Taunton 2m nov chs (4) gd in Oct.
Monturgeon (FR) 6-5fav (10-12) Close up, led 7th, headed 2 out, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Billy Merriott (10-9) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Soudain (FR) 4-1fav (11-9) Led, hit 8th, headed after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 14th of 16, well behind Markadam (10-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) sft in Mar.
Wayward Frolic 25-1 (11-1) Held up in 4th, mistake 7th, well held when taking modest 3rd 3 out until 2 out, fell last, in a race won by Theatre Guide (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (2) gs, 5 ran.