held up in last in touch, headway to press leaders 3 out, ridden and led after 2 out, stayed on well
chased leaders, mistake 9th, hampered and squeezed up jumping 3 out, soon ridden in a close third, kept on to chase winner after last, no impression
led, jumped right at times, ridden after 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened quickly
prominent, led 3 out, soon pressed, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra before last
Witness Protection will have learned plenty from his chasing bow at Southwell in the spring. War Lord was a decent hurdler, winning three times, and Bannister gets a handy weight-for-age allowance along with Il Ridoto, who has already had a couple of runs over the larger obstacles in France. ROCKSTAR RONNIE (NAP) was below par in a handicap hurdle at Sandown in April but may have had enough for the season by then. He’s had a break and looks the type to make a chaser.
War Lord (GER) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 14th final bend, switched right and closed before 2 out, chasing leaders last, weakened flat, 7th of 22, 8 1/2l behind Tronador (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Witness Protection (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, not fluent 4th, joined leader 8th, led narrowly when not fluent 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, headed after 2 out, no extra and weakened closing stages, 4th of 6, 13l behind Onthefrontfoot (11-2) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Rockstar Ronnie (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Dived at 2nd, always towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 14, 24 1/4l behind Herbiers (10-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Il Ridoto (FR) Evens (10-7) Led to halfway, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Pinnacle (10-7) at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 2m 3f gs in Apr.
Bannister (FR) 10-1 (10-10) Always in rear, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 32 1/4l behind Starlet Du Mesnil (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 2f hvy in Mar.
