chased leaders, led 12th, ridden and hit 4 out, kept narrow advantage, driven and joined last, found no extra and headed towards finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd 16th, challenged going well 3 out, 4th and under pressure when fell 2 out
held up, headway 17th, chased leaders after 3 out, soon no impression and left poor 4th next
close up, not fluent 7th, headway 17th, chasing leaders when hit 4 out, went 2nd and hit 2 out, challenged last, edged left flat, stayed on to lead towards finish
led 2nd, headed 12th, chased leaders, hit 14th, soon ridden and lost place, weakened 16th, tailed off
led to 2nd, chased leaders, blundered 15th, ridden and no impression next, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and no chance when blundered last
This sort of test should be ideal for Minella Four Star but concerns remain about the yard's form so preference is for the in-form Paul Webber's APPLEADAY ahead of Tank Top. A big galloping track, soft ground and a thorough test of stamina combine to show Minella Four Star in his best light and he may be even better over further than this. He has more to offer under these type of conditions as he has very few miles on the clock but he couldn't be confidently supported on his reappearance with the yard around fifty per cent down in terms of winners compared to last year. Gentle Ranger has to put a poor run behind him and of more interest is Tank Top who has fallen in the same race at Sedgefield for successive seasons. However, he follows the same path as last year and found only the talented Tricky Trickster too strong twelve months ago so has to have a decent shout from just a 2lb higher mark with nothing of that class in opposition. Fortification and Knighton Combe have been progressing well but have the handicapper and better opposition to contend with whilst the most compelling feature about Whatever Next is the form of his yard. Appleaday has run many of his best races at Newbury so it's reasonable to hope that he can leave the form of this season's two runs behind. He's come down 6lbs in the progress to a mark that's just 1lb higher than when he won at Sandown in February. The yard is going great guns and the return to this track and the booking of McCoy may be just what the doctor ordered.
Gentle Ranger (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led until approaching 2nd, remained prominent, ridden 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Le Beau Bai (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy, 14 ran.
Minella Four Star (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders 13th, not fluent 3 out, led next, clear last, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr beating Stagecoach Diamond (11-6) by 20l, 9 ran.
Appleaday (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, took closer order 4 out, ridden and jumped right when weakening 2 out, 5th of 11, 27l behind Shining Gale (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Knighton Combe 25-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 13th, led 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well, won at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Nov beating Skipper's Lad (11-5) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Whatever Next (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Led and jumped right 3rd, headed 4th, mistake next, reminders 7th, led 11th to 17th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Peut Etre Sivola (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Tank Top 4-6fav (11-0) Led narrowly until fell 1st, in a race won by Presenting Forever (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (5) sft, 7 ran.
Fortification (USA) 10-3 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway to lead 10th, made rest, stayed on well from 2 out, driven out, won at Hereford 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Go West (11-1) by 3l, 8 ran.
