prominent, ridden after 4 out, 4th and beaten 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, in touch when mistake and unsetaed rider 9th
made all, clear 2nd until 4th, not fluent 4 out, ran on well
held up, not fuent 4th, in touch from next, went 3rd 3 out, one pace and no impression next
took keen hold, chased winner, closed 4th, pushed along after 3 out, riden after 2 out, no impression, beaten when not fluent last
Easily Pleased is upped 9lb for winning a handicap over track and trip and has a bit to find on today's terms with Hansupfordetroit. The latter has joined a new yard after landing a chase at Ballinrobe back in May. Dontpaytheferryman will need to improve on his earlier efforts over fences while the remainder are making their chasing debuts. VALCO DE TOUZAINE is the best of them over hurdles and Paul Nicholls' charge is fancied to repeat the victory of stablemate Jump City in this contest last year.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 12-1 (10-3) Tracked winner until 3 out, outpaced next, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 19l behind Laudatory (10-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gf.
Hansupfordetroit (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Made all, clear with 2nd halfway, went clear after 3 out, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp chs 0-109 sft in May beating Twin Plan (11-3) by 11l, 15 ran.
Ivor's King (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, with leader, led after 1st, hit 4th, headed after next, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 31l behind Shotavodka (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Mar.
Zarzal (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner and pecked on landing, soon 3rd and one pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Laudatory (10-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gf.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) 6-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, travelling well before mistake 2 out, every chance when hit last, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Viva Steve (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Easily Pleased (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) In rear and keen, headway before 10th, led soon after, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Aug beating Wester Ross (11-10) by 7l, 5 ran.