raced wide tracking leaders, mistake 2nd, led in close 2nd 13th, led 3 out, went slightly right and joined last, ridden and strongly pressed run-in, headed final strides
jumped right at times, raced keenly, led 2nd, not fluent 4th, went right 5th and next, headed 8th (water), chased leader, left in lead 13th, headed when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out
soon in last pair, left in 4th at 13th, pushed along when left modest 3rd 3 out, ridden and well held between last two
chased leaders, left 3rd and hampered 13th, left 2nd 3 out, upsides last, ridden and sustained challenge run-in, led final strides
led until 2nd, chased leader, led again 8th (water), fell 13th
in touch, jumped slowly 9th, outpaced in rear at 14th, ridden before 4 out, left modest 4th next
held up in rear, blundered 10th, badly hampered and rider lost irons 13th, pulled up and dismounted soon after
NonRunner
Colonial Dreams won three times over hurdles but starts off on a high enough mark over fences. Stable companion Valsheda is less exposed but his half-brother Asum didn’t really take to fences. Beatthebullet had only two rivals at Exeter and we’re loathe to desert QUARTZ DU RHEU, who has also been competing in small fields but has become very reliable and has only gone up 2lb for his latest success. I K Brunel may have needed his run at Carlisle so can’t be ignored and he makes more appeal than The Macon Lugnatic and Tide Times.
Colonial Dreams (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders out wide, went 2nd 8th, led 3 out, hard ridden run-in, caught post, 2nd of 15, shd behind Small Present (11-6) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Barnaviddaun (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, headed 9th, not much room and lost place after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Quartz Du Rheu (FR) 8-11fav (11-9) Tracked leader, closing up when hit 2 out, soon ridden, ran on well to lead final 110 yards, always doing enough, won at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Court Dreaming (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
I K Brunel 4-1 (10-11) Held up, made headway and travelled strongly before 3 out, mistake 2 out, outpaced and kept on after last, not reach leaders, 3rd of 5, 7 1/2l behind Emir Sacree (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Valsheda 6-4jfav (11-3) Led after 1st until 5th, chased leader, led again 3 out, about 2 lengths ahead last, edged left run-in, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gs in Mar beating Johnny B (11-3) by 4l, 12 ran.
The Macon Lugnatic 10-3 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 10th, in close 3rd when fell 13th, at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Tide Times (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in 4th place, went 3rd and awkward 4 out, 2nd before next, every chance when went left 3 out, looked held when pecked next, soon ridden, no impression when dived and bad blunder last, 2nd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Hunny Moon (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Beatthebullet (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) Tracked leader, race more prominently after 10th, ridden 4 out, took lead 3 out, extended advantage before last, went away after last, won at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Gosheven (11-4) by 3l, 3 ran.
