held up on inside, not fluent 6th, mistake 13th, soon ridden, effort on outside when not fluent 16th, 5th and weakening 3 out
chased leader until 7th, ridden before 14th, 4th and no extra before 2 out
in rear, never going that well, reminder after 4th, not fluent 6th or 9th, behind after 14th, pulled up before 16th
led, not fluent 11th or 13th, headed and pecked 14th, weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up
towards rear, slow 3rd, not fluent 12th, headway 14th, 3rd before 2 out, one pace and no impression
chased leaders on outside, 2nd from 7th, led 14th, hard pressed from 3 out, stayed on gamely, holding 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, travelled strongly, went 2nd 16th, challenged 3 out, hanging left into winner from after 2 out, out battled and no impression towards finish
A puzzle with question marks against all. Great Tempo has yet to really convince over fences, Pleney has yet to jump a fence in public and Lovely Touch is another chasing recruit who has been absent for well over 700 days. Jot'em Down came good after wind surgery last time but this is a better race, although he does look one of the likelier ones. Quinto is consistent enough but is 0-13 over fences. Iniesta just got home on his chasing debut last time but a chance is taken with another chasing newcomer in TAAFFES CASTLE. A points winner, he was much improved over hurdles latest and it's interesting to see Christian Williams turn his attentions to fences at this early stage.
Great Tempo (FR) 9-1 (11-13) In touch, reminders after 5th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up after next, at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Iniesta (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader until bumped 12th, handy 3rd, close 2nd 2 out, led final strides, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Old Harry Rocks (12-2) by hd, 8 ran.
Pleney 33-1 (11-4) With leader to after 1st, chased leaders, lost place after 5th, ridden 2 out, stayed on into 4th after last, no impression, 4th of 18, 11 1/2l behind Espalion (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Lovely Touch (IRE) 2-5fav (11-9) Led, 3 lengths clear before 2 out, ridden and headed last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Arboretum (10-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May.
Jot'em Down (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Held up tracking leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, quickened to lead and going clear when left further clear 2 out, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Tzar De L'Elfe (11-10) by 25l, 5 ran.
Quinto 9-2 (10-4) Chased leader until 2nd, chased leading pair until 5th, chased leaders, behind 8th, plugged on from 3 out, left modest 3rd next, 3rd of 5, 35l behind Invicta Lake (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Taaffes Castle (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up rear of mid-division on outside, not fluent 5th, headway 4 out, close 3rd last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Telson Barley (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
