raced keenly, tracked leader until 3rd, remained prominent, went 2nd again and pecked badly 4 out, ridden and lost 2nd between last 2, weakened into 4th at the last
held up in 4th place, not fluent 13th, switched left approaching 3 out, soon edged left, went 2nd going well between last 2, led last, soon quickened clear
led and soon clear, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
held up and behind, never a factor
held up in last pair, hit 12th, headway approaching and not fluent 4 out, left 3rd next, closed on 2nd but no chance with winner
went badly right 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until before 4 out, chased leading pair until fell 3 out
Successful twice at the highest level over hurdles, all eyes here will be on Champ but the McManus runner will likely be a short-priced favourite and this is no straightforward task on his reappearance. Beakstown was backed to beat smart stayer Sam Spinner at Wetherby and was only headed on the run-in. Colin Tizzard’s Highest Sun will almost certainly make a chaser and Kim Bailey has always held Red River in high regard. Fontsanta should be winning again when the ground eases but the interesting one in this might be DASHEL DRASHER. Jeremy Scott’s six-year-old never stopped improving over hurdles last season and rattled up a four-timer in the spring. He is built to jump fences and this trip should be well within his range over the larger obstacles.
Beakstown (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Led, jumped big and dragged hind legs through 3rd mistake and headed 5th, led again after 12th, headed and out stayed flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Sam Spinner (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
Champ (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, headway approaching 4 out, led going well when not fluent 2 out, clear flat, ridden out, comfortably, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr beating Emitom (11-4) by 3l, 12 ran.
Dashel Drasher 15-8fav (11-8) Made all, ridden flat, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Apr beating Thistle Do Nicely (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Fontsanta (IRE) 2-1 (11-3) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, led before last, soon clear, easily, won at Hereford 3m 2f (4) gs in Mar beating Redzor (11-9) by 11l, 8 ran.
Highest Sun (FR) 15-8fav (11-7) Raced keenly in 5th, headway on outside approaching 3 out, 2nd after next, ridden to challenge before last, hung left in 3rd and held when mistake last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Speed Company (10-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Red River (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, every chance when slipped badly on landing 4 out, lost all chance and pulled up, at Ludlow 3m (3) sft in Dec.
