keen early, led, clear before 10th, reduced lead when hit 4 out, hard ridden after 3 out, joined next, headed and outpaced between last 2, no chance with winner but clear 2nd
tracked leading pair, clear 2nd at 10th, ridden to challenge going best 2 out, led between last 2, soon quickened clear, impressive
held up in last pair, hit 7th, some headway when blundered 4 out, no chance after
raced keenly, tracking leading trio, well outpaced 4 out, plugged on into modest 3rd 2 out
soon well adrift in last, jumped slowly 6th, tailed when blundered 4 out
chased leader, mistake 7th, awkward 9th, lost 2nd next, chased leading pair but no chance from 4 out, weakened and lost modest 3rd 2 out
Knocknanuss never looked like being caught in a novices’ handicap at Newbury last time having won earlier at Fakenham but may struggle to give 5lb to MASTER DINO. A dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles at Auteuil, Guillaume Macaire’s raider scored by 30 lengths on his chasing bow and this will give his trainer an idea of how good he is. Glenloe developed into a useful staying hurdler last season, finishing second in the Pertemps Final in March, and looks a smart recruit to the chasing ranks while Slate House beat Summerville Boy in a Grade 2 over timber last season and is also worth noting. Good Man Pat and Onefortheroadtom are no mugs but probably up against in this.
Knocknanuss (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Jumped boldly, tracked leader until led 3rd (water) and maintained strong pace, clear 4 out, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Kupatana (11-0) by 17l, 7 ran.
Master Dino (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 2f hvy in Nov beating Extreme Nouba (10-7) by 30l, 5 ran.
Glenloe (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Mid-division, slightly hampered at 4th, closer 5th and mistake 3 out, ridden entering straight, 6th at last, no extra, 5th of 25, 3 3/4l behind A Great View (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Good Man Pat (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost a few places and not fluent 3rd, hit 9th, struggling after 4 out, well behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Onefortheroadtom 9-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, raced wide, mistake 3rd, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 30 1/2l behind First Drift (11-0) at Hereford 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Slate House (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear on outside, took keen hold, ridden and beaten before 3 out, 8th of 13, 26 3/4l behind Lalor (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) sft in Apr.
