held up towards rear, blundered badly 13th, soon behind, blundered next and pulled up
jumped left and bumped 1st, tracked leaders, awkward landing 4 out, disputing 4th and looking beaten when fell 3 out
made virtually all, not fluent 3rd (water), jumped right and hit 6th, pressed 3 out until last, driven out
bumped 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, challenged next until last, held flat, stayed on
in touch 3rd, not fluent next, lost place when jumped right 5th, struggling from 12th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, closed 11th, ridden 3 out, soon one pace and beaten, no extra before last
tracked leader, led 3rd, soon headed, stayed prominent, not fluent 7th, ridden 14th, lost place 4 out, weakened before 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Faster ground is a real worry for the hat-trick seeking Hold Em Cowboy and recent Wetherby winner Fentara would also have preferred softer going. Firebird Flyer is still creeping up the weights but recent course and distance winner Lamboro Lad is worth a second look, though is closely matched with Fiddlers Reel. Raajih won by eight lengths at Kilbeggan last month but the handicapper has had his say since. GUESS AGAIN hasn't had much racing but showed what he was capable of when beating a decent field at Worcester last time. Conditions are in his favour again and he should prove tough to beat if in the same mood. Man With Van was due to run yesterday at Hexham.
Fentara 9-2 (11-4) Held up behind leaders, headway after 14th, went 2nd before 4 out, led after 3 out, clear last, easily, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May beating My Idea (10-0) by 17l, 7 ran.
Raajih 11-4fav (11-10) Held up, impeded by faller 5 out, not fluent next, improved to track leaders from before 3 out, on terms approaching straight and soon led, in command when jumped left last and left further clear, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in May beating Cherryantor (10-2) by 8l, 10 ran.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace before last, no impression on front pair flat, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Broadway Buffalo (10-12) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in May.
Guess Again (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) With leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, led before 10th, went left 3 out, strongly pressed from 2 out, driven after last, found extra and in command final 100 yards, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May beating Handy Andy (11-7) by 2l, 10 ran.
Lamboro Lad (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, pressed from last, kept on gamely, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Apr beating Fiddlers Reel (11-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Wicklow Lad 6-4fav (10-8) Chased leaders in 3rd, reminders before 5 out, weakened before next, 4th of 5, well behind Jimmy The Hat (10-2) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Mar.
Hold Em Cowboy (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Held up in last pair and confidently ridden, smooth headway approaching 2 out, travelling well in 2nd when left in lead last, soon clear, eased towards finish, easily, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in May beating Coeur De Fou (10-13) by 7l, 6 ran.
Fiddlers Reel 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 5th, left in lead 7th, ridden and headed last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Baileys Concerto (10-10) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp chs (3) gs in May.
Silver Roque (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, challenged 4 out, led after next, headed last, no extra flat, 6th of 12, 8l behind Majala (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Apr.
Man With Van (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Took keen hold, sometimes jumped left, tracked clear leading pair, disputing 2nd 10th, closed and definite 2nd 4 out, hard driven run-in, led final strides, won at Perth 3m nov chs (4) sft in May beating Kilbree Kid (10-12) by hd, 4 ran.
Buck Mulligan 7-2 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up in touch, went modest 3rd 4 out, weakened to 4th flat, 4th of 6, 22l behind Rockiteer (11-13) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd in Apr.