mid-division on inside, headway 4 out, led between last 2, driven and stayed on well flat
in touch, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no impression
always behind, tailed off 3 out
in touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last
mid-division, headway 5th, challenged and every chance 2 out, ridden and same pace flat
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
with leaders, effort and every chance 2 out, ridden last, weakened flat
with leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, mid-division 5th, challenged 2 out, one pace approaching last
always behind
made most, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra flat
behind, pushed along halfway, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and not fluent last, stayed on well flat
held up mid-division, headed 5th, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
MOUNT BENGER has to be the pick here despite a penalty after a very easy win in a similar contest at Folkestone last time out, while Twocute and Blushing Hilary can go well. The selection was well supported for his seasonal reappearance, which was over a very similar trip to this, when dropped into this grade last time out. He won't have the benefit of A P McCoy from the plate here but Rhys Flint is a good 7lb claimer and the way he was eased when winning suggests that there is plenty more to come from him and he is a confident choice. It was too early to tell how Twocute would have fared on his debut for Tim Vaughan at Towcester last month, but he was travelling well enough at the rear when it happened and the six fences he jumped in public before his departure will have at least given him some experience. Trip and ground suit him based on his Irish form and now switched back to hurdles he could go well for a trainer who certainly shows he can improve them. Blushing Hilary enjoyed her only win over course and distance here in a good ground seller in the spring, and after some ordinary recent form on artificial surfaces she might enjoy this switch back to hurdles so watch for better today. No Supper is open to improvement and as one who acts with cut he could put his best foot forward, while Jim Best will hold the key to the chance of mudlark Jades Double, who will be staying on when others have cried enough. Even so, Mount Benger left a big impression at Folkestone and really ought to follow up here.
Mount Benger 9-4fav (11-8) Mid-division, in lead 2 out, clear flat, won at Folkestone 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft beating Troialini (11-12) by 10l, 12 ran.
Blushing Hilary (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Chased winner, led 3 out, headed after last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Golden Run (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (5) gd in May.
El Coto 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, went prominent 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 16th of 17, 49l behind Three Thieves (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Blandford Flyer 50-1 (10-6) Held up, headway when blundered 3 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 14l behind Norman Beckett (11-2) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl gd in Apr.
Speedy Directa (GER) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 18l behind Naughty By Nature (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
No Supper (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Led, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 7l behind Satindra (11-6) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Art Gallery 7-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 4th, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 11, 19l behind Upright Ima (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f ldy hcp hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Moon Melody (GER) 33-1 (10-9) Chased winner, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 11, 40l behind Spare Me (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Ostinata (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Raced in 7th, 9th and well beaten 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 12, 27l behind Mount Benger (11-8) at Folkestone 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Etoile d'Or (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Towards rear, 3rd when hit 2 out, weakened, 6th of 12, 28l behind Mount Benger (11-8) at Folkestone 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Matinee Idol 12-1 (10-3) In rear, headway 2 out, driven and soon one pace, 7th of 15, 6l behind Mischief Man (10-7) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Government (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, reminders after 4th, soon weakened and pulled up 4 out in race won by Posh Emily (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f sll hcp hdl (5) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Little Task 22-1 (10-6) Always in rear, tailed off from 10th, 5th of 8, well behind Little Shilling (11-7) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Petrichan (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, 29l behind Upright Ima (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f ldy hcp hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Invincible Rose (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Held up and keen, weakened from 5th, 5th of 9, 43l behind Barashi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft.
Jades Double 7-2 (11-8) Tended to jump right, led, mistake before and headed 9th, weakened quickly next, 8th of 9, well behind Burgess Hill (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Twocute (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) In rear when brought down at the 6th in race won by Kinkeel (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Ras Laffan 12-1 (10-7) Soon behind, never dangerous, 6th of 9, well behind Maidstone Mixture (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
