prominent, led after 2nd, headed 11th, mistake 4 out, no impression on winner next, lost 2nd last
awkward 1st, off the pace, mistake and reminder 3rd, hit next, closed after 9th, ridden next, not fluent and no impression on winner 3 out, went 2nd last
in rear, jumped big 1st, pulled up after 2nd
tracked leader, challenged 10th, led next, clear after 4 out, eased run-in
jumped big and landed awkwardly 1st, always well behind, completely tailed off before 4 out, pulled up after
led, not fluent 2nd, soon headed, chased leaders, mistake 6th, hit 9th, weakening when mistake 11th
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent 4th, lost place 5th, closed 9th, blundered badly 4 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
BILBROOK BLAZE was headed close home at Taunton in March and has gone up 5lb for his trouble but Philip Hobbs’ charge drops down a grade for this and is worth another chance. Rothman has struggled despite placing in handicaps since winning a beginners’ chase while the same comment applies to another beginners’ chase winner Ace Fighter Pilot. Ratify ended a long losing run with a success at Uttoxeter but has been raised 7lb while Fear Glic has shown little since returning from a long absence. What Larks got his head in front at Chepstow in March though failed to complete either side.
Houston Dynimo (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Led 2nd until ridden and headed 13th, weakened rapidly, soon behind, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Native Robin (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Rothman (FR) 7-4 (10-6) Not always fluent, raced in 2nd or 3rd, weakened 3 out, left remote 2nd last, 2nd of 3, dist behind Kilfinichen Bay (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Bilbrook Blaze 9-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, close up, when blundered badly hampered and left 3rd 4 out, went 2 out, upsides last, strong challenge and every chance run-in, found no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind My Brother Sylvest (11-11) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Handy Andy (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 6th of 13, 15l behind One Cool Scorpion (11-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
What Larks (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) In rear, detatched before 7th, tailed off when hampered 9th, pulled up 12th, at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Captain Ocana (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Led til hdd cl home, 3rd of 7, hd behind Browns Brook (12-0) at Flete Park 3m sft in Apr.
Royal Chief (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Chased leaders on outside, pecked and lost place 2nd, hit 4th, not fluent 7th, headway after 9th, lost place before 4 out, well beaten when mistake 3 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Ballycoe (11-1) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Fear Glic (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased winner until led 8th until next, mistake 10th, lost 2nd after 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 28 1/4l behind Mezendore (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Ace Fighter Pilot 15-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd after 9th until 3 out, jumped left and weakened next, remote 3rd and very tired when pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Ratify 10-1 (11-6) Led until 3rd, led 7th, clear after 3 out, jumped right last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Apr beating Special Wells (11-10) by 3l, 8 ran.