mostly with leader, not fluent 1st, lost place and not much room after 10th, hampered 12th, weakened 4 out
in touch on outside, not fluent 5th or 9th, closed after 10th, left 2nd when hampered 12th, 3rd and ridden next, weakened 3 out where not fluent
tracked leaders, pushed along after 11th, left 3rd when hampered next, went 2nd behind clear leader 4 out, closed 2 out, led before last, stayed on
led, not fluent 7th, headed 11th, close 2nd when hampered and fell next
took keen hold, close up on inside, went 2nd after 10th, led next, jumped slightly left and left clear 4 out, reduced lead and not fluent 2 out, headed before last, no impression flat
Richie McLernon takes the plum ride on TAQUIN DU SEUIL. Jonjo O'Neill's seven-year-old won the Grade 1 JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in March, with Double Ross third and Wonderful Charm fifth, and could be a Gold Cup horse this season. Double Ross has a chance of turning that form around here on better terms but doesn't have the same scope. Black Thunder won a Grade 2 at Lingfield in December but this could be on the sharp side for the gelding on his first start since falling in the RSA Chase in March and a bigger danger could be Colour Squadron despite the absence through injury of AP McCoy.
Black Thunder (FR) 16-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place and mid-division when fell 12th, in a race won by O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
Taquin Du Seuil (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hampered 4 out, headway under pressure next, soon chased leading pair, challenged between horses after 2 out, ridden and stayed on to lead narrowly final 50 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar beating Uxizandre (11-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in touch in rear, closed 14th, outpaced 3 out, went 3rd before last, plugged on, no impression, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Holywell (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Double Ross (IRE) 6-1fav (11-9) Prominent, led 7th, headed after 12th (canal turn), with winner, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner last, lost 2nd final 100 yards, dropped to 5th towards finish, 5th of 30, 11l behind Ma Filleule (11-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Colour Squadron (IRE) 5-1fav (11-1) Tracked leaders on inside, headway 3 out, led briefly next, ridden and kept on approaching last, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 23, 8l behind Ballynagour (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
