towards rear, pushed along in 5th before 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway before 8th, soon chased leading pair, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
with leader, led before 2 out, kept on from last, driven out
led and keen, headed 4th, reminders and in rear before 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
tracked leaders in 3rd, took keen hold, led 4th, headed before 2 out, weakened before last
in rear, struggling before 9th, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, went 3rd before 2 out, went 2nd from 2 out, kept on well towards finish
Withdrawn
Long Distance won in this grade at Carlisle last month but Makhzoon's recent second came over fences and he was beaten almost 30 lengths. Hockenheim's best form is over the larger obstacles and Mountain Hiker, a winner on the Flat for Jeremy Noseda, has proved hugely disappointing over hurdles. WESTERN BOUND recorded a double here last spring and, though he hasn't reproduced that form since, wasn't unduly punished when finishing in mid-division in a handicap at Navan last time. This is far less competitive and he can return to winning ways.
Mountain Hiker (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along 6th, soon struggling, 9th of 13, 42l behind Hada Men (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Mar.
Long Distance (FR) 13-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, headway before 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gs in Apr beating Sir Tantallus Hawk (11-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
Makhzoon (USA) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, jumped right throughout, under pressure 13th, slow 5 out, weakened 3 out, moderate 2nd, 2nd of 4, 29l behind Galway Jack (11-0) at Southwell 3m beg chase (5) sft in Apr.
Smack Down 50-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened before 5th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Rupert Bear (10-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft, 9 ran.
Hockenheim (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Led, hit 6th, headed approaching 10th, soon beaten, tailed off and pulled up soon after, in a race won by Pocket Too (10-9) at Perth 3m 3f con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Apr, 5 ran.
The Bravetraveller (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Led to 7th, took keen hold, led again 9th, headed 3 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Captain Nash (11-0) at Hexham 3m 1f beg chase (5) gd in Mar.
Western Bound (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 7th 4 out, no impression straight, 9th of 15, 18l behind Labeille (11-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Mar.
Sported And Played (IRE) 100-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 18l behind Jasperito (10-6) at Perth 3m am hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Apr.
