led until mistake 8th, lost place and reminder 10th, behind when pulled up before 14th
in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway on outside 13th, went 2nd when mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner
prominent, led 8th, mistake and headed 12th, still 2nd when fell 14th
mid-division, headway 10th, mistake 12th, no impression on winner 3 out, weakened flat
prominent, led 12th, clear before 3 out, bad mistake 2 out, ridden out
mid-division, headway before 13th, hampered next, no impression 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, hit 10th, headway when hampered 14th, disputing 9 lengths 4th when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
The handicapper may have caught up with Cyclop, who looked beaten when falling at Fakenham. Uncle Alastair’s win at Carlisle was his first over fences and quicker ground here won’t aid his cause. The Wolf is usually let down by his jumping and Saint Arvans is penalised for winning at Kelso. Fire Away and Evander both have plenty to prove at present so this can go to DOYEN BREED (NAP), who was highly tried after winning at Hexham last season and has only just regained his confidence.
Cyclop (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Led, pressed for lead before 12th, briefly headed before 13th, ridden and headed before 15th where fell, at Fakenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Apr.
Uncle Alastair 16-5 (10-9) Always going well, tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led last, ridden clear, won at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) hvy in Mar beating Lord Du Mesnil (12-0) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Doyen Breed (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Prominent, bad mistake when damaged fence and slightly hampered rival 2nd, ridden 3 out, took fourth close home, 4th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Elvis Mail (11-5) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Saint Arvans (FR) 12-1 (11-6) In rear, in touch, went 3rd 12th, pressed leaders 2 out, narrow 2nd going best approaching last, ridden and led run-in, won going away, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Domandlouis (10-2) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
The Wolf (FR) 13-2 (11-1) In touch, headway 14th, tracked leader next, every chance 4 out, not fluent next, ridden to chase winner at last, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Annsam (12-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Fire Away (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Towards rear, pushed along and lost touch quickly after 3 out, pulled up before next, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Evander (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 6th, tired quickly and tailed off after 9th, pulled up before next, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
