mid-division, ridden and chased leaders approaching 4 out, no extra from 2 out
towards rear, blundered badly 11th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders until weakened quickly and pulled up 9th
tracked leaders, prominent after 8th, led 10th until 4 out, soon ridden and weakened from 2 out
towads rear, hit 10th, close up 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
led headed approaching 10th, soon weakend and pulled up before 3 out
held up, smooth headway from 4 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well to lead flat
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, soon ridden, every chance when hampered 2 out and no extra
tracked leaders, ridden and led 2 out, kept on until headed and no extra flat
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
Nonrunner
As you would expect for some very good prize-money, this is the best race on the card, with Celtic Boy taken to defy top weight, with Ball O Malt and Catch The Perk given as his main dangers. Celtic Boy has been raised nine pounds for his Stratford win, but he did it well there and seemed to jump better than in the past too. He is respected. A return to his autumn form would give Duke Of Buckingham a chance, while Wraggs To Riches could yet have some improvement in him judged on his Stratford win, although that came on soft going. Rookery Lad will be tested by his career-high mark, Liberty Seeker still has something to prove at this level, we feel; Kid'Z'Play likes it here but is another that will need a career best in order to win, but based on his Uttoxeter win of last season, Ball O Malt could yet be reasonably weighted and a run over hurdles will have sharpened him up for this. South Bronx is another that likes it here but one that is also edging up in the weights, the latter bit of those comments applying to Bohemian Spirit too. Conversely, the course and distance winner Catch The Perk is just a pound above a winning mark from last autumn and comes right into the argument based on that, and neither can the upwardly mobile Clouding Over be rule out based on his recent form. Overall, though, we will stick with Celtic Boy.
Celtic Boy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) In touch, led 9th, ridden 4 out, kept on, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun beating Totheroadyouvgone (10-3) by 9l, 11 ran.
Duke of Buckingham (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Keen hold, tracked leader 4th, led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, no impression after, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Full House (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Apr.
Wrags To Riches (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden and headway 8th, chased leader 3 out, led last, all out, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in May beating Another Joker (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rookery Lad 9-2fav (11-0) Prominent, led 2nd, driven along approaching 2 out, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jun beating Master Rex (11-5) by 5l, 10 ran.
Ball O Malt (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, steady headway after 6th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, not quicken flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Crathorne (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
South Bronx (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In touch to 7th, outpaced 4 out, rallied after 2 out, kept on one pace flat, 4th of 8, 4l behind Lucky Duck (10-13) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Bohemian Spirit (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, led after 1st, hard pressed from 3 out, headed last, ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Aldiruos (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Clouding Over 10-3jt-fav (11-10) Held up mid-division, headway 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well flat, held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Prince Of Pleasure (11-5) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
