led but often pressed, headed last, soon carried right, one pace and no impression final 100 yards
held up, not always fluent, ridden after 8th, weakened from 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led when not fluent last, edged right, driven out
held up, not fluent 5th (water), headway before 3 out, stayed on well final 100 yards, went 2nd towards finish
mostly pressed leader until 3 out, soon one pace, rallied towards finish, unable to get back on terms
Howwoulduno shocked the odds-on Steps To Freedom at Punchestown last month and must be respected in this, despite his penalty. But he's giving weight to some promising novices which include Falcarragh, sure to have learned from his run at Worcester, and Midnight Game. The latter won a Listed race over hurdles in 2012 and wasn't given a hard time on his chasing bow at Killarney last month. ORSIPPUS would probably have preferred a bit further but the pace in this should be decent and a little improvement on his third at Kelso puts him right in the picture.
Howwoulduno (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Veered left at start, chased leaders, slightly slow 3rd, moderate 3rd before straight, 2nd 2 out and closed, challenged from last, led run-in, stayed on well,, won at Punchestown 2m beg chs gd in May beating Steps To Freedom (11-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Agricultural 10-3 (11-0) Made most until ridden and headed before 4 out, outpaced in 3rd when switched outside approaching next, no chance with front pair from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 18l behind My Idea (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Falcarragh (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Disputed 2nd behind (clear) winner, hit 5th, dropped to 3rd 8th, 2nd again before 4 out until ridden before 2 out, mistake 2 out, kept on same pace, weakened into 4th run-in, last of 4, 16l behind Hallings Comet (11-0) at Worcester 2m beg chase (4) gd in May.
Midnight Game 5-2 (11-12) Disputed lead, mistake 1st, prominent, 3rd before 3 out, soon no impression and no extra from after next, 5th of 11, 19l behind The Crafty Butcher (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs in May.
Orsippus (USA) 18-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 9th, headed 10th, in 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Master Of The Game (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in May.
