led 3rd, made rest, drew clear from 3 out
in touch until weakened after 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 12th, went 3rd 14th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, hit 8th, ridden after 13th, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
behind, some headway 14th, weakened next, pulled up before 16th
mistake 1st, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
led until 3rd, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, no chance from next
held up, mistakes 9th and 10th, behind 13th, pulled up before 14th
in touch until 14th, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
Raregem can land the finale at the expense of Fox in The Box and Eskimo Jack. The selection has had jumping problems in the past but did manage two wins under rules last year at Leicester and Wincanton. He was a good winner of a point to point last time out suggesting that he is in good order so has to be very much respected. Fox In The Box won for Robert Alner last year at Chepstow but came to grief on his only run between the flags this season. If recapturing his best he has a live chance. Eskimo Jack has probably a better chance as he has won twice this season between the flags. His form under rules though has let him down in the past so he is to be treated with caution. So for the winner we return to Raregem.
Eskimo Jack (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 27, well behind Scots Grey (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gd in Apr.
Long Night 5-4 (12-0) A last; rdn 10; lost tch & pulled up in race won by Sea Snipe (11-7) at Upcott Cross 3m ptp gf in Apr, 3 ran.
Raregem 4-11fav (12-7) Led 7; drew clr frm 4 out; easy, won at Vauterhill 3m ptp frm beating Erics Way (12-0) by 25l, 2 ran.
Batchworth Lock 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 11th, stayed on for poor 3rd, 3rd of 16, 26l behind Kilbreena (11-5) at Chepstow 3m mdn hts chs (5) gd in Apr.
Early Edition 5-4 (12-5) Held up & bhnd; hdwy 13; led 4 out; comf, won at Bishops Court 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Oh Vlo (12-5) by 6l, 4 ran.
Fox In The Box 3-1 (11-0) fell in race won by Mighty Montefalco (11-0) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gd in Feb, 6 ran.
Mister Club Royal 11-1 (11-9) Led, mistake 4th, headed 9th, weakened approaching 16th, tailed up when pulled up 4 out in race won by Vinnie Boy (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
River Quoile 16-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden and headed 12th, weakening when mistake 14th, blundered next, 5th of 7, well behind Sungates (11-8) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
