in touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
refused to race, took no part
in touch, headway 8th, ridden to lead after 2 out, kept on, ridden out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace after
always towards rear
in touch when blundered and unseated rider 5th
behind, stayed on from 3 out, never troubled leaders
held up, jumped right 8th and 9th, headway after 4 out, stayed on run-in
chased leaders, weakening when blundered 4 out
Honan can keep the locals happy, with Athnowen, Jetowa du Bois Hue and Jupon Vert seen as the main dangers. Honan visited the winner's enclosure for the first time since his bumper days when making a winning chase debut over the course and distance last month. He seemed much happier over the bigger obstacles and is taken to follow up, despite the fact that he meets Tosawi on worse terms now. Strictly on the formbook the latter should turn the tables, but he looks a hard ride and is worth taking on again. A bigger danger therefore may be the veteran Athnowen who beat Alcatras over further here recently. The runner-up franked the form at Worcester on Saturday, but as this is a drop in trip for Athnowen, he too is opposed. Jetowa du Bois Hue gave Jupon Vert nearly a stone when beating him at Wincanton on his last outing in November 2003, and if fit enough, may be able to uphold that form over Ron Hodges charge at least, even though the latter has fitness on his side. An interesting little race can see Honan score again.
Jetowa du Bois Hue (FR) 7-4fav (10-10) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, shaken up 3 out, ran on well flat, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf in Nov '03 beating Jupon Vert (9-11) by 2l, 5 ran.
Athnowen (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Held up last, headway after 9th, challenged and led from 12th, jumped right from 4 out, clear 3 out, easily, won at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in May beating Alcatras (9-11) by 7l, 7 ran.
Honan (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 4 out, driven out, won at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd in May beating Tosawi (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Jupon Vert (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Held up, headway after 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, 5th and beaten when left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 9, 26l behind French Direction (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Tosawi (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 4th, blundered 5th, headed 6th, led again 7th, headed 9th, no chance with winner from 3 out, 2nd of 8, 23l behind Celtic Boy (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in May.
James Victor (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) In touch, mistake 8th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 13l behind Nephite (10-4) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf in May.
Smart Design (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Led to 1st, reminder 6th, soon weakened and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Bill Owen (10-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
The Mighty Sparrow (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Led, mistake 1st, headed approaching 7th, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Itsuptoharry (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Apr.
